Mario Yamasaki is stealing the headlines following UFC Belem and not for the first time.
Yamasaki was officiating last nights co-main event between former bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko and the previously unbeaten Priscilla Cachoeira. As expected by many, Shevchenko won in convincing fashion with a dominant display lasting a little over 9 minutes. In an alarmingly one-sided fight, Shevchenko landed 230 strikes with Cachoeira landing just 3 in return. Despite the dominance displayed by Shevchenko, Yamasaki chose not to intervene and end the bout until The Bullet sank in a rear naked choke and forced the gutsy Cachoeira to tap.
Not only did Yamasaki allow Cachoeira to be systematically beaten down by Shevchenko beyond the point of reason, he also missed her tapping to the rear naked choke. It took two separate taps before Yamasaki noticed and finally stepped in to put an end to things.
Frankly, fighters deserve better than this. I find it concerning that even in the photo at the top of this article, Yamasaki is looking off to the side. Straight down the lens of the camera as he raises the hand of Shevchenko. Who is the moment about, him or the victorious fighter? It is embarrassing to the point of being uncomfortable.
Following the event, UFC President Dana White was quick to take to social media to share his thoughts on the fight and the performance of the referee.
“Priscilla Cachoeira, you showed so much heart and toughness in that fight,” White wrote. “I’m honored to have you fight in the UFC. Unfortunately the ref is there to protect you and Mario DID NOT do that. This isn’t his first disgusting performance in the octagon. Another unfortunate thing is that I can’t do anything about I️t only the Brazilian commission can and I am hoping after this scary, incompetent showing he hopefully will never set foot in that Octagon again. Strikes landed was 230-3.”
It was not just White who was upset with the performance of Yamasaki with a number of fighters and analysts taking to social media to express their outrage.
Corners in @ufc should start throw the towel in mma just like in boxing when referes like Yamasaki it's in change of stoppages #UFCBelem
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 4, 2018
OMG Yamasaki WTF are you doing !!!!!
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) February 4, 2018
My thoughts on Mario Yamasaki’s performance tonight. @yamasakimma @cabmma pic.twitter.com/Na4QUpyVrz
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 4, 2018
As expected, @BulletValentina absolutely dominated tonight. But honestly, it's hard to say anything about that fight other than it should be the last one Yamasaki refs. #UFCBelem
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) February 4, 2018
While the UFC have no say in who local commissions appoint to officiate fights, after his latest poor performance it would appear Yamasaki‘s days refereeing UFC fights are numbered.
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