In the realm of sports officiating, few roles demand as much fortitude and resilience as that of a referee, particularly in the high-pressure atmosphere of mixed martial arts (MMA).
With the advent of social media, the stakes have never been higher, placing sports officials under intense scrutiny. One South African referee, Natasha Brits, exemplifies the courage required to navigate such a tumultuous profession, having faced and overcome significant challenges to emerge stronger in the world of MMA.
Brits' journey is a testament to the harsh realities faced by officials, particularly after a harrowing mistake during her debut at EFC 88 in 2021. The incident saw her at the centre of a storm, following a controversial late stoppage during a bout between Julio Plaatjies and Teboho Ntene – both debuting professionals.
In a critical moment, Ntene appeared to be choked unconscious, yet Brits did not call the fight to a halt. This oversight led to widespread criticism, with fighters, fans, and officials alike expressing their outrage on social media.
“Plaatjies indicated that he felt Ntene’s body lost muscle tension,” remarked Ferdi Basson, then Vice President of the Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA).
“At the same time, he could see the referee was attempting to see Ntene’s face. He proceeded to turn onto his side to make Ntene’s face visible.”
Despite these warnings, Ntene's safety was compromised, and the incident drew attention worldwide, leading to an investigation by MMASA.
The investigation concluded that Brits’ action constituted a late stoppage, sparking a sanction against her officiating capabilities.
Basson noted, “Brits will have to pass a locally presented officials’ course, and only then return to officiating.”
For an official who had made her professional debut with such promising potential, the emotional fallout was devastating.
“After the event, I was shattered emotionally,” admitted Brits.
“I received a lot of negative comments ... What I did not expect was the death threats.”
However, this dark chapter marked not the end, but a new beginning for Brits. Rather than retreat in fear, she bravely reassessed her priorities and took it upon herself to rebuild her career. Returning to beginner levels, she focused on honing her skills and officiating amateur events before gradually making her way back to pro status.
“The one thing I learned is that when you go through a difficult time and are part of a community, you will never stand alone,” Brits reflected, appreciating the support she received from coaches and officials.
Her determination paid off as she officiated at the 2022 IMMAF All-Africa event, marking her return to the sport just one year later.
After relocating to the Netherlands, Brits embraced new opportunities on the international stage. She has since officiated at three major IMMAF events, including the 2023 IMMAF World Championships in Albania. Her excellence and commitment have not gone unnoticed; next month, she received an invitation to officiate at the IMMAF World Championships in Uzbekistan.
“Natasha is now a standard at the IMMAF World Champs. Only the best of the best get selected,” Basson remarked, emphasising her remarkable recovery since the EFC incident.
In a sport where split-second decisions can lead to dire consequences, Brits embodies the notion that growth stems from adversity.
She acknowledges, “Every official that has ever stepped into the cage will go through a tough call that must be made in a split second, and that decision will not always be the correct one.
“It very rarely, if ever, happens because the referee is malicious. In the end, just like any other sport, MMA referees are humans.”