Chicago Ref For Tomorrow's UFC Fight A Lightweight...In Experience?

While Chicago's first UFC event in nearly four years is barely a day away, the undercard events have been rolling all week. The fighters, including the main event light-heavyweight contenders, Chicago's own Rashad Evans and Phil Davis, have popped up around town for open workouts, press conferences and plenty of smack talking.

But the latest controversy leading up to tomorrow's second-ever UFC on Fox bout isn't about the contenders' verbal smackdowns; it centers on the only Chicago-area official slated to ref the three-card event, Rob Madrigal.

There are questions as to whether Madrigal, set to ref at least one preliminary bout, has the experience to be officiating an event of this size.

Association of Boxing Commissions president Tim Lueckenhoff told The Tribune yesterday that using someone with Madrigal's pro experience in the UFC is "definitely, definitely" a safety risk. Per the Trib:

"You can't allow that," said Leukenhoff, who heads Missouri's Office of Athletics. "You want to give guys experience but you don't want to give experience on a world stage."

Pro MMA wasn't legalized in Illinois until 2010. The Association of Boxing Commissions has used roughly a dozen local referees, some of whom the Tribune reports "now have worked hundreds or thousands of pro bouts." Madrigal, meanwhile, has only been professionally refereeing fights less than two years, officiating 13 fights in that time.

Rob Hinds, a longtime MMA ref who has also worked UFC events told the Trib that "UFC's level of talent is so high that its bottom card is stronger than any other pro show"

"The fighters, they deserve the most competent, the most experienced, the most knowledgeable officials out at that level," said Hinds. "This is not where you get learning experience."

For UFC's part, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, Madrigal's credentials aren't a concern.

"I do not go in anywhere and tell the [Illinois Athletic Commission] what to do," Ratner told the Trib. "He'll get some exposure and I look forward to meeting him."

Tomorrow's preliminary fights between Chael Sonnen and Mark Muñoz and middleweights Michael Bisping and Demian Maia (which Madrigal will officiate) will be broadcast on Fuel TV while the main event will air at 7 p.m. on Fox.

Last minute plan: If you're in the downtown area today, the weigh-in between Evans and Davis goes from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at the Chicago Theater and is free and open to the public.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@chicagoist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Kim Bellware in News on January 27, 2012 2:00 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Justin

After watching the UFC in its entirety last night, I felt Mr. Madrigal did an excellent job. What is "experience?" He has been trained and CERTIFIED by referees that have officiated UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, etc. (Big John McCarthy, Marc Fennell, and Rob Hinds). Mr. Madrigal also trains BJJ/MMA. He has also served as a commissioner, judge, and timekeeper along with his refereeing duties long before many states even sanctioned events. With that said, I will be anxiously awaiting your next article congratulating Mr. Madrigal on a job well done.

CageCraze.com

I think this is the pot calling the kettle black? We have a writer who is inexperienced in the MMA industry writing about someone who is trained and knowledgeable in the in the sport, being inexperienced. Kim, here's a little advice... if you are attempting to "attract people interested in MMA to Chicagoist", try focusing on something that is a benefit to the sport. We have enough "drama queens" already. I know both Hinds and Madrigal, and respect both. I could give you more information about all of this but that would be me doing your research for you. I guess you can read my article on this failed attempt to attract the MMA community to this site.

Kim

CageCraze--not entirely clear on your point here. Was there some glaring factual error? If so, by all means, let us know so we can make it right.

But if your issue is with the fact that we're being critical or asking questions, come correct: We're not obligated to only write about something "that is a benefit to the sport." Asking questions--even if we're a fan--boosts objectivity, it doesn't undermine credibility (and it would seem that since we're not the ones representing a social network dedicated to MMA, we have no agenda).

This article gave differing opinions on a legitimate issue raised by someone (Lueckenhoff) with authority: is this ref's experience for this level of fighting a safety liability? We shared opinions from both sides. Since you said you know both Hinds and Madgrigal, why not share insight that would have added to the conversation, rather than attempting to make some "pot/kettle/black" connection? Unlike Madrigal, my experience with MMA (or in your incorrect assumption, lack thereof) has no affect on someone's safety.

slickpoetry

Uh...did you think your readers would care about this...?

Kim

Sports fans have been talking about the fight all week, the RedEye featured it on today's cover and the event is completely sold out. So, in a word, yeah. Can't speak to how many current Chicagoist readers are interested in MMA, but this also serves to attract people interested in MMA to Chicagoist.