MMA_Official
Iowa,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, August 29, 2013
I can speak personally about Rob Hinds and Combat Consulting as I have taken his course 3 times. As compared to other courses out there offered by other big name officials in the MMA industry, Rob's course is way under priced as most others are 4-6x's the cost. Yes folks, do your homework before you complain they are 4-6x the cost of what Rob provides. To be exact, Combat Consulting charges a flat fee regardless of the class size and then the person who is sponsoring the class decides what fee to charge the participants. So obviously, this fee can vary from class to class based on each individual state or area that puts the class on. The class is not easy, if you sit at home and watch UFC, this does not make you knowledgable or capable of passing the class. It is a jam packed 2-3 days of information and testing. I'm guessing you failed the course, so that's why it was a ripoff. Learn from it, improve and take it again. One basis that Rob teaches is, EDUCATE, PRACTICE, TRAIN, REPEAT...You are no where near qualified to just go out and work shows as a judge or ref once you take and pass the course, you must follow the path and work your way to where you need to be.
Under the 3 times I have taken the course, Rob and Combat Consulting have never promised work or guaranteed work to any of the participants. They lay the ground work, provide the foundation, knowledge and tools for people to approach and market themselve in the appropriate places to become actively employeed as an MMA official.
Rob makes sure every participant of the course has his contact information, stresses his desire to help everyone succeed, guide and coach them along their way. I personally have spoken to him multiple times since the first time I took the course, I know I can call him at anytime and he is more than eager to speak with me, coach me and guide me towards success. He is a straight shooter, if you can't handle the truth then you shouldn't ask him for feedback or to critique your performance because he will always be honest with you.
He is a pure advocate for the advancement of the sport, I have personally officiated shows with Rob Hinds and I also officiate all over the state I live in. People will not come to you, you need to seek out the work, follow the criteria and stay sharp on the fundamentals that Rob provides. You must be Pro-active and market your skills, professionalism and personality. If you are not dedicated enough to do that and you expect Rob to just hand you work, then you're not the quality of individual we want associated with the MMA industry.
I'm proud to say that I have also developed a friendship with Rob since the time I took the first class. He has been a true coach, mentor and friend!!
FairFight
United States of America#3Consumer Comment
Fri, October 05, 2012
I have gone through three of Mr. Hinds Seminars for MMA officiating. Two of these were for Judging and one for refereeing. Before signing up for these I did some significant research on how to get accredited in becoming an MMA official in the Midwest. Mr. Hinds name came up more than a few times.
The first complaint indicated that he overcharges for his classes. I found this to be the exact opposite as others in the business who have the same credentials charge 3x what Mr. Hinds did. Mr. Hinds has the same ABC accreditation as these other individuals but doesn't gouge on the pricing.
The second complaint was that he promises people jobs. That's not true. In the three classes I've taken with him at no point did he mention placing jobs with me. He said to get out to some local MMA events and start marketing yourself as a beginner official. That has since worked for me and another counterpart that took the classes and we've been working events ever since.
Since I've started working MMA events, I've had the pleasure of working with Mr. Hinds as the referee on several occasions. He continues to educate me at every show I work helping me grow my education of the sport. At no point during these events have I run into an individual that dislikes him personally or professionally.
I would highly recommend Mr. Hinds and his seminars to anybody looking into officiating MMA.