5 of the worst calls by MMA referees

#4. Drew Dober vs. Leandro Silva

UFC 259: Makhachev v Dober

It's absolutely crucial that judges, commentators and referees alike know what they're looking at while they're working. This is amplified by the person in the referee role. Positions can get pretty weird and it's hard to tell exactly what's going on. Although that happens often, it's the awareness of the referee that will dictate the end or continuation of the bout.

Along with situations that are hard to read, there are more that a very rudimentary understanding of the sport would be helpful in. When Leandro Silva dropped down and elected the bottom position to attack a guillotine choke, a very collected Dober did the correct thing and threw his legs over to a side that would keep him safe from the choke.

Not only was this a tell-tale sign that Dober was safe, but the referee, Eduardo Herdy, even checked his arm in order to tell if he was conscious or not. Granted, these decisions are made on the spot, but every possible sign alluded to Dober making the right moves to protect himself from Silva's threats. The stoppage was so egregious, the athletic commission later changed this from a loss to a "no contest".

#3. Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

UFC Fight Night: Weidman v Gastelum

It's not often that a referee is removed from an event for questionable officiating. When Dos Santos locked horns with Saint-Dennis, it started very exciting but drifted into a hard-to-watch fight.

Referee Vyacheslav Kiselev had the commentator booth pleading for the action to be stopped as a very defeated Saint-Denis took far more damage than necessary at the hands of a reluctant Dos Santos.

Great sportsmanship was shown, as the Brazilian was protesting, having to further damage his opponent. The fight ended up going to the judges and nobody was happy with it. Kiselev was pulled from any further duties on the UFC 267 card.