We have a treat for Utah Fight Game readers today. A chat with a veteran MMA referee who has worked the cage in 26 states more than 2,500 times in the past several years. His name is Bobby Wombacher (seen in several photos) and he'll be the referee in Logan this Saturday night for the Mountain Force MMA card. Bobby has worked with the UFC, Bellator and other top promotions. He has a fascinating, extremely interesting history of hard work and dedication to share and we're grateful he's taken the time to speak with us.
FIRST, a brief recap of the past week in the Utah fight game ... At the Bellator 205 card last weekend, Ben Moa, SteelFist heavyweight champ, was stopped in round 1 by Steve Mowry via an Anaconda submission. Ben was injured second after the opening bell. Davis County's Sean Powers, 190 pounds, lost a split decision to undefeated Jarod Trice. This was an even bout with Powers hurting Trice just before the final bell. And Bryce Edminister, 145 pounds, stopped Leon Taylor in round 2. Other winners with local ties included Andrew Cruz and Vince Morales. ... In boxing matches Justin Morales, undefeated welterweight, polished off Tyron Settles with a body shot in round one in a bout in Columbia, S.C. And in Joplin Mo., MMA pro Ed Whitmore, of Utah, in a boxing match, suffered an unintentional head butt against Joseph Carriker. Whitmore was stopped prior to the final round due to the severity of the cut.
NOW, ON TO THE INTERVIEW WITH REFEREE BOBBY WOMBACHER ...
Utah Fight Game: Tell us how you got started in MMA and becoming a referee?
Wombacher: Just like many people I watched the UFC on VHS and Beta tapes in the beginning. When it become more readily available for me on PPV, I wouldn't miss one. I planned trips and vacations around being able to see the PPV, I was obsessed with the sport. I traveled around and always believed I could do it.
Then, I moved to Utah and had an opportunity to train. During my training, I had a cyst on my left shoulder blade and they had to remove it. After the surgery, it became infected and they had to open it back up and leave it open. I had the pleasure of going back to the doctor every morning to have them pack it. That was the absolute worst pain I can remember. The doctor said I couldn't grapple or roll for 6 months because of the open wound. I grew frustrated, because after all of the years of saying I could do it, I was finally doing it and this happened.
I remembered a flyer of Herb Dean's Referee Course that I had obtained when I lived in Hollywood, CA. I thought I would go referee for 6 months and then go back to fighting when my shoulder blade was better. I mean being a referee was a piece of cake and anyone could do it. Reality set it real quick when I arrived to Herb's course, this wasn't going to be easy and not everyone could do it. I failed his course and was devastated.
When I landed back in Utah, I contacted a fighter from the gym I trained at and asked for some help. I knew the rules like the back of my hand; however being a referee was so much more than knowing rules. I had to know what every hold was, how to apply it, and most importantly how to dissemble it. Being a referee is all about fighter safety. If you don't know what is happening, where the pressure and pain is, or how to break the hold safely; well then you aren't effective at your job. If the referee isn't effective at his job, people get hurt.
That fighter referred me to another fighter. I went and had 1 x 1's with that fighter for a week and half, then back on a plane to take Kevin McDonald's course in Connecticut. I passed that course and the rest is history. In all, I have completed a total of 7 ABC-recognized referee courses, including going back and passing Herb Dean's; the only course I had failed! After passing the course, it was time to get in the cage, because I had passed the course.
Again, another rude awakening was in store for this guy. That just isn't the way it works. The course gives you a piece of paper of completion and the acknowledgment that you passed the approved course. However; it does not say you are capable of being a referee. Now it was time for the sacrifice and the journey to truly begin. Did the chicken come before the egg or did the egg come before the chicken? I kept being told as I reached out to many commissions across the country, "You need cage experience". The problem is without cage experience, people wouldn't give you a chance; however if you don't get the chance, you will never gain the cage experience.
I passed my first test in May 2012 and couldn't get an opportunity to step foot in the cage. I started judging to apply the new found skillset of being a referee and judge. I loved judging, but I knew I wanted to be a referee. I kept contacting other commissions all over and kept being shot down. I must have heard 50 - 100 no's. I'm positive they were tired of me emailing and calling; because I was relentless in my pursuit of what I wanted. I would make sure I reached out every 30 days or so, just to remind them I was here.
Finally, on my way to judge a local Utah promotion, SteelFist, in October of 2012; the Utah Executive Director, Bill Colbert, called my cell phone. I was heading to the venue in downtown Salt Lake City and was about 15 minutes away. I will never forget that phone call. Bill asked me if I wanted to ref a couple of fights that night. Now reality was setting in and of course I said "heck yeah." In that moment, I begin to think, holy crap am I ready? Bill then asked if I happened to have my referee attire. I informed Bill I did, because I took it to every show just in case the time came. I hung up the phone and started calling everyone I knew.
This journey wasn't a solo flight, there were so many people taking it with me. I called the instructors from the ABC courses I took and frantically was searching for the silver bullet and reassurance that I was ready. I arrived at the venue and was mentally preparing. About 15 minutes before the show began, I remember going to the restroom and throwing up a few times. The anticipation of this moment and the nerves were getting me. I stepped in the cage that night and fell in love with the task at hand. The fire had officially been lit and I knew I could do this. I have spent the past 6 years going state to state and getting in the cage on any occasion.
At this time, this is my full-time job. I have been honored to be in the cage for over 2,500 fights now. I have been blessed with stepping foot in the cage/ring in 26 different states. I have done multiple UFC's, Bellator's, LFA's, RFA's, etc. I truly love my job and I am blessed to be given the opportunity to do it. I don't get the opportunity to be in the cage as much as I like in my home state, due to my other commitments. However; whenever I step into the cage in Utah, it has a different meaning to me. This is where I started and where my journey began. So on September 29 in Logan, Utah........I'm home!
Utah Fight Game: You have a connection to Utah. Tell us about that.
Wombacher: I started training for MMA when I moved to Utah. Utah is where I stepped in the cage for the first time. Utah is where my kids live. This is home and the fans are so passionate in Utah. I love being in the cage in Utah and love talking to as many people as I can when I'm at the venue. This will always be home and any opportunity I get to get in the cage here, I will cherish it.
The commission in Utah has seen me grow from infancy to today. I'm so grateful for their trust and belief in what I do. They stood behind me in the beginning and still stand behind me. Their support means more to me than I could ever express. Without them, there would be no Referee Bobby Wombacher!
Utah Fight Game: What's the most important traits a cage referee needs to know to do a great job?
Wombacher: There is a difference between being a referee and being a good referee. Passing a course or putting on the attire and stepping in the cage categorizes you as a referee. There are many of those. There are many people that think they are a good referee because they used to fight or they go to the gym. That just isn't a fact, beyond popular belief.
A good referee knows the rules, knows the holds, knows what is going on in there whether it is standing or on the ground, knows their only job is fighter safety, knows that many people are going to blame them for whatever happens (whether it is warranted or not), knows that if they don't have thick skin they will be consumed and spit out, can make a split second decision, is decisive, knows where he/she is supposed to be during the fight at all times, etc.
There are so many things that happen in the cage during a fight and if a referee isn't in the proper position ALL the time, they can and will miss things. Some of those things can cost a fighter a fight. In this sport, the reality is it can create unnecessary injuries as well. I believe every fighter, regardless if they are an amateur having their first fight or a pro on their 30th fight, deserves the absolute best officials.
I take that very serious and I am committed to every fighter, their coach's, the fans, the promoter, the commission, and to myself to be my very best every night I'm in the cage. An off night can get someone hurt, there is no time to have an off night.
Utah Fight Game: Have you worked for Bellator or UFC? I believe you have. What's it like? Any different than SteelFist or MFMMA?
Wombacher: I have done multiple UFCs and Bellators. I get asked all the time was I nervous and what it is like. Before my first UFC, I was very nervous. Again, you begin to think, "am I ready?" My first UFC was on July 13, 2016 from Sioux Falls, SD. I remember arriving at the venue and the other referees that night were Big John, Herb Dean, and Kevin McDonald. All guys who had mentored me and helped me (to this day those gentleman are on speed dial when needed and always are there for me).
I was really nervous and I remember Big John passing me in the locker room and asking me if I was ready. I felt I gave a very credible and stern, heck yeah. Obviously he could see right through me and knew I was nervous as a son of gun. He looked me in my eyes and said, "you are here for a reason and you are going to do a great job. Just don't ** it up!" He then walked away, I was laughing and the nerves were gone.
I had done a handful of Bellators up to this point, even being on the card with Big John while doing Bellator. When the lights went down for the beginning of the broadcast, I was ready. I had the first fight that night. The lights came on and it was just a cage in a different city for a different promotion. I treat every fight I do, like it is in front of millions of people. This is the greatest sport and it is such an honor to step foot in the cage with these amazing athletes.
Utah Fight Game: What are your future goals as a referee?
Wombacher: My goals remain the same. I want to be in the cage wherever there is one on any given day. Being in the cage has given me so many opportunities outside of the cage. I utilize the notoriety that I have to give back in every community I can. I love going and talking to kids in the hospital, speaking at the Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, helping the autistic community, having parents send me messages about kids that want to meet me and surprising them when I come to an area near them, and any other opportunity I get to help someone. This sport has given me so many blessings and I am eternally grateful for all of them.
You can follow my fan page on Facebook at MMA Referee Bobby Wombacher and on Instagram at referee_bobby_wombacher. I update where I'm at and what I'm doing there regularly.
Thanks so much Bobby for chatting with us. We have an enormous amount of respect for what you've accomplished. ... Let's talk some about the card you'll be at. The main pro bout at the Mountain Force MMA 5 card matches Anthony Miller and Jaime Hernandez, 135 pounds. Another pro bout matches Andy Pitcher versus Aaron Chambers, 170 pounds. The amateur bouts include an 145-pound promotional belt match between Lee Critchlow and Tyson Craig. It's at the Eccles Ice Arena in Logan at 7 p.m. Saturday. See the poster below.
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