Not a bad idea. Some fighter fall forward rather than step forward, which even an unconscious person can sometimes do. "Out on their feet" but able to bluff the ref with a smile.

Maybe ask " do you want to continue?" And then say "step over here to me" and the ref moves laterally or slightly behind the fighter to see if he has any feet/balance at all.

Yes it would be 8-9 seconds of a count PLUS the additional time for the question and the stepping. Could wind up being 15 seconds before the action continues.

Seems OK.