To: Illinois State Athletic Commission
International Sport Kickboxing Association

Official protest
We submit an official protest regarding the refereeing for the GLORY 27 title fight Levin vs Marcus held in Chicago
on February 26th, 2016.

Round 1. At 00:30 remaining in the round, the referee issues Levin a count for a fictitious knockdown. Marcus imposes a high grip in the clinch and makes a twist throw. Marcus uses his right hip and sweeps the left leg to execute this prohibited technique. Marcus did not strike and the referee did not issue a warning. When Levin is outside ring, Marcus throws a knee but misses. Marcus disregards the command of the referee to STOP and throws a second knee but it hits the ropes.
The referee issues a count to Levin before he enters the ring. Levin is behaving congruently: stepping over the ropes and conversing with the referee at the time the count was being issued.
The 8-count resulted round by Marcus, even though Levin won the round by points.

Round 2. At 1:21 remaining in the round, Marcus initiates a clinch then referee deducts a point from Levin. Marcus does not strike immediately when clinching, he strikes 3 seconds later. Levin makes a knee strike right after it. The referee then proceeded to deduct a point from Levin’s score after the mutual clinching that was initiated by Marcus.
Both fighters were engaged in a mutual clinch, a point deduction from Levin’s score was unreasonable! Marcus wasn’t issued ANY warning by the referee.
Disqualification may occur after a deduction of three points, nevertheless the referee says, “One more time and you will be disqualified.”
Levin returns to his corner with his hand raised after the referee commands “fight”. What was the reason for this? Was the athlete trying to inform the referee of his condition? Was he asking to stop? Was there an issue with his gear? The referee completely ignores Levin. In this situation the referee should interpose between the athletes to avoid injury or a knockout. Even though Levin’s signal was seen by the referee and Marcus, the referee refused to stop the fight resulting in Levin being stuck in the back by Marcus.
The conclusion based upon the referee’s actions:
1) the referee was irresponsible, incompetent, and lacked control over the situation
or
2) there was a prejudgment against the promotion’s champion.
The incompetent referee endangered Levin’s health and life. The referee allowed Marcus to attack Levin from behind.

Round 3. At 00:38 remaining in the round Marcus initiates the clinch again. Levin second entering into the clinch and immediately made a knee strike according the rules and this is not “holding”.
Marcus does not strike in this clinch and both feet are on the canvas. The referee then issues another point to be deducted from Levin’s score after the clinch. Levin ready to make other knee strikes in this clinch and it’s not “holding” according the rules.
Now another point has been stolen.

Three rounds resulted in favor of Marcus. Even though Levin won all three rounds. The next penalty would lead to the Champion’s disqualification. The fight lost its meaning due to the situation. The referee didn’t control the course of action.

Besides Marcus executed many twist throws, which are prohibited in the rules:
Round 1 – 2:13, 1:27, 0:45, 0:30; Round 2- 2:02, 1:02, 0:10; Round 3- 2:20, 1:38, 0:58 (specified time remaining till the end of round)
Strike made by Marcus after referee commanded STOP:
Round 1- 1:16, 0:29; Round 2- 1:40 (specified time remaining till the end of round)
and after the bell in round 2.
NO warnings were issued by the referee for these actions!
Taking the above facts mentioned and video into consideration we earnestly ask you to make a detailed analysis of the refereeing. We are asking you to declare a no contest bout result due to the numerous mistakes made by an incompetent referee according by 1.2.9 and 1.2.10 GLORY World Series Rules and explanations ISKA four specific rules