Living in a pressure cooker.

By Mark Woodard.

People often say to me how lucky I am being an MMA ref, I get to attend all the top UK shows, meet all the top fighters, watch the fights from the best seat in the house and get paid for it.

Some of the bigger shows are filmed for TV and indeed some are live on channels like Sky Sports and Bravo.

Yes my face is on TV and yes I do get recognised and yes I do know most of the star fighters on 1st name terms.

Now I want you to imagine what its like and to consider the pressure that the 3rd man is under, then double it by adding live TV.

Most MMA fighters have dreams and ambitions of stardom and fame, add to that the possibility of earning more money than you can shake a pointed stick at and maybe you will get the idea.

Nobody remembers fights all they look at are records i.e. win or loss, contracts and titles can be earned from the W and lost with a L.

So now you have one man responsible for the future careers of possibly the next UFC champion!! The slightest mistake, wrong call, lack of concentration or not being in the right position can cost so much more than a W or L whole futures may be at stake.

Now put yourself in this position you have 2 people’s health and welfare in your hands, broken limbs, permanent disability or even death can occur. All of this is possible if the 3rd man doesn’t pay attention.

Enough pressure you might say? Now double it by adding live TV to the mix with producers wanting shots, camera men getting in the way and having to wait for all of these before a fight can start.

That’s surely enough! Wait just one little thing is missing in the pressure cooker of top flight MMA. The internet where keyboard warriors and wannabe officials can feel free to comment on every fight.

Still think I am lucky ??

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