Ricardo Almeida, Now a Professional MMA Judge

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: shaun00
Date: April 07, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

It's been a little over a week since it was announced that UFC welterweight contender, Ricardo Almeida has decided to hang up the gloves and retire from competing in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. At 34-years-old, he mentioned that he wanted to focus more on his family, on his school, and on coaching his teammates. Those aren't going to be the only obligations on his plate though, because as Lary Pepe of ProMMARadio mentioned, "Big Dog" is also now a judge in New Jersey:
Great interview with @NickLembo earlier. Ricardo Almeida now a pro MMA judge in New Jersey. Love to see former fighters becoming judges.
Click to expand...
People have long been complaining about Judging in MMA, and while some people blame it on the 10-pt must system, I have always thought that MMA scoring issues have always stemmed from the judges themselves. Granted that this doesn't apply for everyone, but I definitely think that changing the scoring method won't solve our problems if there are still too many judges who can't even properly implement the current system in place. Some say it's because of too much judges simply jumping in from Boxing, or some say there's just a lack of knowledgeable volunteers -- whatever reason is, there is a definite need to educate, and to get more capable and experienced people in the athletic commissions all around the world.
That being said, the NJSACB is already one of the best athletic commissions in the US, maybe even the world, but having a guy like Almeida on staff is certainly going to help. This is a step in the right direction, and I do hope this means more commissions will start hiring and training more guys as knowledgeable as him.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/4/7/2096157/recently-retired-ufc-fighter-ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: OMG_its_DFM
Date: April 07, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

That's awesome... the sport needs more judges that know the ground game. The more separation between boxing judges and MMA judges the better.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: CopperHeart
Date: April 07, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

That is excellent news.
I hope this is the beginning of an ongoing trend.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JimmyCannoli
Date: April 07, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

Love this....hopefully more follow this trend!

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: WhiteTrash
Date: April 07, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

I concurr with every one who has posted so far. Getting ex fighters into the judging business is a sure fire step in the right direction. Getting poeple who know MMA literally from the "ground up" is a great way to get the best results you can from somehting as subjective as "judging". The only black lining to this silver cloud is the off chance that he, or any other fighter turned judge, has problems showing favoritism towards a particular fighter, or a particular style. Such is life.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: threefiftyzzz
Date: April 07, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

when randys done fighting he needs to do the same and become a judge...

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: itadakimasu
Date: April 07, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

Awesome news.
This should happen more often.
The only downside is that you may run into fights where people wonder if he's totally partial. If he were to judge a fight between Renzo Gracie and somebody else, could you expect him to be neutral?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: thedifferencemaker
Date: April 07, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

optimus828 said:
Awesome news.
This should happen more often.
The only downside is that you may run into fights where people wonder if he's totally partial. If he were to judge a fight between Renzo Gracie and somebody else, could you expect him to be neutral?
Click to expand...
Interesting point, but I would imagine he would not be involved in judging any fights like these.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: PsychoIcon
Date: April 07, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

Noice!

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Oh_Dayum
Date: April 07, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

Brilliant news! Now we have a judge who can fully appreciate and understand the ground game.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MoJoJo
Date: April 07, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

Bad news. Almeida, Good luck keeping your personal bias out of your judging. No matter how hard you try to keep it neutral, you are human and emotion and grudges always play a part.
Edit: I suppose if he recused himself for personally knowing the fighter(s), then it could be good having a former fighter as a judge.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: OMG_its_DFM
Date: April 07, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

MoJoJo said:
Bad news. Almeida, Good luck keeping your personal bias out of your judging. No matter how hard you try to keep it neutral, you are human and emotion and grudges always play a part.
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Um... seriously? This is far from bad news... So you think if you are a retired fighter you should be barred from judging? If you follow that logic than people who just train would have bias because of the folks at their gym. I'm positive people who judge/umpire/referee sporting events have favorites and friends participating but its the same thing with sports journalism; you have to put that aside and do your best to be impartial. Herb Dean is a retired fighter and he does a badass job...
This is good news, I hope it becomes a trend...

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MoJoJo
Date: April 07, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

OMG_its_DFM said:
MoJoJo said:
Bad news. Almeida, Good luck keeping your personal bias out of your judging. No matter how hard you try to keep it neutral, you are human and emotion and grudges always play a part.
Click to expand...
Um... seriously? This is far from bad news... So you think if you are a retired fighter you should be barred from judging?
If you follow that logic than people who just train would have bias in favor of the folks at their gym.
I'm positive people who judge/umpire/referee sporting events have favorites and friends participating but its the same thing with sports journalism; you have to put that aside and do your best to be impartial. Herb Dean is a retired fighter and he does a badass job...
This is good news, I hope it becomes a trend...
Click to expand...
Yeah, I do think people who train, are partial and biased toward the people at their own gym. If you were trying to use that to make a point, it didn't and only furthered my opinion and belief on the topic at hand. So you are telling me that if either of the Nog's were judging an Anderson Silva fight that they would not be inclined to lean in his favor if it was a really close fight? Well, if thats what you truly believe then you sir, are a better man than most.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: REDRUM
Date: April 07, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

This is AWESOME!!!!!
I hope he gets the Frankie-Maynard II fight!!!!!!!!!!
:lol:
but all jokes aside... its good news... I know Big Dog and hes the most honorable guy u can meet

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: OMG_its_DFM
Date: April 07, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

Mojo, I think that Almeida is doing this for all the right reasons. Nogs are still active, I think if they retired and decided to be judges that they would do so with integrity. That's the key. I Dont see Almeida being malicious with his judging. But that's just me.
My main point was former fighters would make better judges because of their knowledge of the game. And Almeida seems pretty honorable, unless you know of some bogus s--- he's done that I don't...

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Paul_UK
Date: April 07, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

MoJoJo said:
OMG_its_DFM said:
MoJoJo said:
Bad news. Almeida, Good luck keeping your personal bias out of your judging. No matter how hard you try to keep it neutral, you are human and emotion and grudges always play a part.
Click to expand...
Um... seriously? This is far from bad news... So you think if you are a retired fighter you should be barred from judging?
If you follow that logic than people who just train would have bias in favor of the folks at their gym.
I'm positive people who judge/umpire/referee sporting events have favorites and friends participating but its the same thing with sports journalism; you have to put that aside and do your best to be impartial. Herb Dean is a retired fighter and he does a badass job...
This is good news, I hope it becomes a trend...
Click to expand...
Yeah, I do think people who train, are partial and biased toward the people at their own gym. If you were trying to use that to make a point, it didn't and only furthered my opinion and belief on the topic at hand. So you are telling me that if either of the Nog's were judging an Anderson Silva fight that they would not be inclined to lean in his favor if it was a really close fight? Well, if thats what you truly believe then you sir, are a better man than most.
Click to expand...
Although I agree with you, I don't think that Almeida would be allowed to judge fights that have people from his gym fighting. But in every sport, there are people that support teams and sometimes have to referee/judge their matches. When it comes down to it, it's about being professional and doing your job, and if you don't and you're clearly biased, then you lose your job.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MacWombat
Date: April 07, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

YPG said:
Although I agree with you, I don't think that Almeida would be allowed to judge fights that have people from his gym fighting. But in every sport, there are people that support teams and sometimes have to referee/judge their matches. When it comes down to it, it's about being professional and doing your job, and if you don't and you're clearly biased, then you lose your job.
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Exactly, I'm sure if this becomes a trend, some judges who are close to a fighter will slip through the cracks, but if it's anything as obvious as one's own trainee, I don't think they will be allowed to judge.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: REDRUM
Date: April 07, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

all jokes aside if someone bitches about this they need to be shot... lol
we need highly educated judges who have actually fought or at the minimum trained

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: shaun00
Date: April 07, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

theREDRUM said:
This is AWESOME!!!!!
I hope he gets the Frankie-Maynard II fight!!!!!!!!!!
:lol:
but all jokes aside... its good news... I know Big Dog and hes the most honorable guy u can meet
Click to expand...
Frankie-Maynard III you mean?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MoJoJo
Date: April 07, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-now-a-professional-mma-judge.37524/

OMG_its_DFM said:
Mojo,
I think that Almeida is doing this for all the right reasons
. Nogs are still active, I think if they retired and decided to be judges that they would do so with integrity. That's the key. I Dont see Almeida being malicious with his judging. But that's just me.
My main point was former fighters would make better judges because of their knowledge of the game. And Almeida seems pretty honorable, unless you know of some bogus s**t he's done that I don't...
Click to expand...
While I whole heartedly agree that he is doing it for all the right reasons, he is still capable of making decisions based on his heart and not his head. I was a little unclear about the Nog's, my bad. I meant if they were retired and judging a Silva fight.
Now, I could see former fighters being used as advisors to help train judges on the various criteria that goes into proper judging of an MMA fight. I just have a hard time believing that these fighters that train together and become really close can actually be objective when it matters. I also think Almeida is an honorable dude and i don't have any dirt on him.