Mixed martial arts is a young Sport. Many of those involved with the sport - fans, Fighters, coaches and writers - often forget that. A large number of fans were born before the UFC's first event in Denver, Colorado in 1993. As with all discussions, related to sport or anything else, historical context is important to keep in mind.

That being said, the sport needs to continue to evolve. There are many ways this can occur from better fighter pay and conditions to more mainstream acceptance. After last night's incident involving Roy "Big Country" Nelson and veteran referee, "Big" John McCarthy, it made this writer consider the need for a rethink and action when it comes to refereeing and judging in mixed martial arts.

For those who are unaware of the aforementioned incident, Nelson faced fellow heavyweight, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in a main card fight at UFC Fight Night 95 in Brasilia, Brazil last night. In the second round, Nelson's power right hand found Silva's ever weakening jaw to send the latter to the floor. After several follow up punches that clearly removed Silva from consciousness, McCarthy called off the fight.

Nelson, who is friends with Silva, became irritated with what he believed was a late stoppage, kicked McCarthy lightly on the posterior and showed the longtime referee the bird.

Now, it's important to note that McCarthy is not only a longtime referee, he is one of the most consistent. He has overseen thousands of fights over more than two decades of service with a lot of different promotions. The late stoppage last night was a one off, a mistake all professionals should be permitted every once in awhile.

Even so, high level mixed martial arts relies on a handful of referees and judges. Some are great, many are good and others are a downright disgrace to the sport. Interestingly, though, this writer can only think of one - Herb Dean - who has experience of fighting inside the cage.

Many mixed martial arts referees and judges do have some fighting experience, mostly in individual sports. A large number of judges are former or current boxing judges. However, at this point, 23 years after the first UFC event, it is time for athletic commissions across the United States and the world to attract former, high level mixed martial arts as referees and judges. Here are five reasons why.

1: Fighting at a high level, former fighters have firsthand experience in everything involved in the fighting experience, such as the emotion, grit and exhaustion. They will understand truly whether or not fighters are advancing position while grappling or simply wasting time. They've been there before.

2: As a referee, a former fighter can pause and deduct points knowing that these fouls can affect the fights outcome. Being well-known and respected, they have less fear than current referees in changing the fight's outcome and being on the receiving end of the wrath of fans. The same can be said about stoppages. Referees are there to protect fighters from unnecessary damage. Former fighters will have the perceived legitimacy of stopping fights and the experience in knowing when enough is enough.

3: Former fighters will bring more attention to the sport in the same way that large mainstream sports have commentators and other former players still involved in the sport after their retirement. It is one more aspect for fans to talk about and one more reference point for those watching a preliminary fight with unknown fighters.

4: While they may be masters in a particular fighting style, former MMA fighters understand the complexity of the sport in a comprehensive way. They are less likely to favor a certain style of fighting and judge the sport more on the criteria set forth by the unified rules.

5: Criticism of fighter pay and treatment, especially in the UFC, can be offset if fighters were provided the opportunity for post fighting employment in the sport and industry many only know. Furthermore, many fighters will have an escape for retiring, an option many fighters who take extensive damage and fight longer than their health permits need.

Of course, attracting former fighters does pose one particular obstacle. Being a young sport, many former fighters have competed against fighters who still compete. Moreover, many have trained or still train with current fighters. Athletic commissions would need to establish transparency rules and avoid former fighters refereeing or judging contests in which they may have a conflict of interest.

So, what do you think? Should athletic commissions start recruiting former fighters as referees and/or judges?

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