UFC's Mark Ratner explains why the promotion won't use open scoring

LAS VEGAS – UFC vice president of regulations Mark Ratner is not a fan of open scoring and doesn't want the organization to implement it.

The topic of open scoring has been much discussed in MMA circles recently, with many feeling that it would be beneficial for fighters and fans at home to always know the score of a fight, especially before the final round of a fight that looks likely to be close.

Ratner, a UFC Hall of Famer, is one of the most important figures behind the scenes in MMA and has helped shape the sport into what it is known today. He understands why some people want open scoring, but is not in favor of it because he believes it takes away the tension and anticipation at the end of a fight.

“I still don't support open scoring,” Ratner told MMA Junkie Radio at SEI CON. “Me and the UFC feel that it's a path that should be avoided at all costs, so I'm still in favor of it.”

“The most exciting moment, whether in boxing or mixed martial arts, is when you go to the decision after a title fight and you're waiting for Michael or Bruce Buffer to say, 'new' or 'not yet,' and you're on the edge of your seat, waiting. You don't want to miss that moment.”

In some cases, Ratner would be right that a fight that seemed close might not have been considered close on the scorecards, but if a title fight was tied going into the final round and everyone involved knew it, that moment would still exist even if the fight went to the final horn.

Fighters lower on the card know they have to press harder to get their hand up in the final round, and in most cases, this is already recognized, especially if the fighter's corner is being honest.

On the other hand, what if a fighter knows for sure that he or she will be okay with losing the final round on the scorecards?

“We tried it in boxing,” Ratner explained, “We had a 10-round fight. After the seventh round, the guy knew he was winning and ran away. Now we're talking about a three-round fight. … Whether it's a three-round fight or a five-round fight, that's how we do it. If you know your guy's leading after the fourth round in a five-round fight, he'll take you to the ground and maybe pin you down if he can.”

Several MMA promotions have experimented with open scoring, with Invicta FC having implemented it in the past, with elements on both sides of the debate present to varying degrees.

For Ratner, the simple solution is to never take your foot off the gas and fight hard until the clock runs out, and hometown fans hoping to see the biggest promotion in the world go at it with some open scoring shouldn't hold their breath.

“I would tell all my cornermen to assume it's a draw and call whatever the result is a loss,” Ratner said. “Now it's up to you. Let your fighter fight and don't take it for granted. Don't leave it up to the referee. That's my philosophy.”