After one of the worst referee blunders in recent MMA history – and then being told nothing could be done about it – Drew Dober is getting some redemption.

Although initially announcing the controversial UFC Fight Night 62 result would stand, the Comissao Atletica Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA) – the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission – today reversed course and overturned Silva’s win and declared the fight a no-contest.

In a statement emailed to MMAjunkie, CABMMA COO Cristiano Sampaio confirmed the change to the March 23 bout.

During the UFC Fight Night 62 preliminary-card fight, which aired on FOX Sports 2 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian lightweight Leandro Silva (17-2-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was awarded a second-round submission victory over fellow lightweight Dober (15-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC). However, Dober never tapped during the confusing final sequence, and he had already escaped any real danger from a guillotine choke as he changed his positioning.

According to today’s statement, referee Eduardo “admitted his professional mistake and is willingly in favor to forgo his authority in the bout.”

Although Dober’s subsequent appeal didn’t fall under one of three provisions available to overturn the fight, CABMMA – following the lead of New Jersey State Athletic Control Board officials, who recently spoke to MMAjunkie about their procedures – have added an additional provision in the case the regulatory body “determines that a good faith judgment call of a referee was mistaken and therefore considered a self-evident error.”

The full statement:

The Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) has done a relevant research and analysis of precedents involving government and independent regulatory bodies to decide on how to proceed in Leandro Silva-Andrew Dober´s case. There was no international jurisprudence found and record of overturned result based on an incorrect judgment call of the referee, when specifically not related to misinterpretation of the rule.

After receiving a detailed technical report from Mr. Eduardo Herdy, referee in charge of the bout mentioned in the case, which in the end clearly states that his stoppage was to preserve the fighter´s integrity, being that his highest responsibility when it comes to the duty of a referee, he has admitted his professional mistake and is willingly in favor to forgo his authority in the bout.

Due to the factors involved and after receiving Mr. Andrew Dober´s formal appeal, CABMMA has defined a fourth provision regarding the change of decision after contest or exhibition, which follows below.

“The Executive Committee may, on an exceptional basis, revert a decision to “no contest” if it determines that a good faith judgment call of a referee was mistaken and therefore considered a self-evident error. Such decision may be taken provided (i) an appeal is filed with the commission within 72 hours of the relevant bout, (ii) the appeal is accompanied by a video (or link thereto) of the bout showing the challenged judgment call, (iii) upon request by the Executive Committee, the relevant referee presents a written justification of his judgment call and (iv) after analysis of the relevant video and justification, the Executive Committee determines that the judgment call was in good faith but considered a self-evident error.”

In addition, based on the success of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission and its resource to help prevent similar cases by the usage of instant reply, CABMMA will study the possibilities of using this same resource in future events where promoters have the infrastructure to provide so. New protocols are, as of this moment, being analyzed with the purpose of identifying such palpable errors during the events. It is important to state that Mr. Larry Hazzard, Sr. (Commissioner) has shown CABMMA a new perspective of conducting events in Brazil, creating a safer and fairer environment for MMA.

Regarding Mr. Eduardo Herdy, CABMMA is thankful for his professionalism in recognizing this error, helping the entity evolve in its regulatory affairs in Brazil by seeking the development of higher standards and demonstrating his commitment as an official referee of the sport.

Consequently, after reviewing the case, the Executive Committee presided by Mr. Rafael Favetti (Chairman & CEO) and Mr. Cristiano Sampaio (COO), has decided to overturn the result of Leandro Silva vs. Andrew Dober bout and is officially determining it as a NO CONTEST.

Cristiano Sampaio – COO

CABMMA

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 62, check out the UFC Events section of the site.