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**IronMan** · 12-06-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronMan @ MMAOpinion

A lot of controversy always surrounds officials when they make decisions about whether or not a fighter should be disqualified, and sometimes I feel its important to jump to the defense of a referee. Last night was not one of those times.

Steve Mazzagatti’s call during the Lesnar fight was one everyone seems to agree was moronic, but his jumpy tendencies in last night’s fight between Jon Jones and Matt Hamill was one of the worst pieces of officiating in the history of mixed martial arts, and perhaps one of the worst calls in the history of professional sports.

Whether NSAC chooses to overturn the call, and I think they absolutely should, is up to them, but I figured (just for the people who aren’t entirely clear on exactly what went wrong, or on some of the details of officiating) I’d lay out exactly why Mazzagatti should never be allowed to referee a high profile event like that again.

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**ZZtigerZZ81** · 12-06-2009, 03:09 PM

I could not agree more with the fact that this needs to be overturned. If not, it is an injustice to Jones in almost the same degree that Rumble was robbed in his fight with Burns...was that also Mazzagati? Ibelieve it was.

This guy is on a downward spiral reminiscent in sports of only Ryan Leaf. Wow!!!!!!

**AK-Bronco** · 12-06-2009, 03:33 PM

Great column/analysis. I just wonder if Hamill's deafness played a part in the obvious lack of communication in the end of this fight. I don't recall Mazzagatti attempting to ask Hamill a single question after the point deduction/stoppage.

**IronMan** · 12-06-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK-Bronco

I just wonder if Hamill's deafness played a part in the obvious lack of communication in the end of this fight. I don't recall Mazzagatti attempting to ask Hamill a single question after the point deduction/stoppage.

He did ask if Hamill was able to continue (probably the only thing he did right), and he did so before bringing a doctor into the ring (which was stupid).

I do think Hamill's deafness contributed to the confusion, but I don't think it excuses Mazzagatti, who made a decision without really considering the implications or the protocol he's supposed to appeal to.

**swpthleg** · 12-06-2009, 05:13 PM

He can probably read lips, but it was still a clusterf*ck.

I'm trying to think whether or not the NSAC has ever overturned a decision in this particular promotion.

Wiggy · 12-06-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swpthleg

He can probably read lips, but it was still a clusterf*ck.

I'm trying to think whether or not the NSAC has ever overturned a decision in this particular promotion.

I was thinking that..

**Toxie** · 12-06-2009, 05:38 PM

Great article. I fully agree with you. Mazzagatti's reffing was really weak last night and something should be done about it. Of course, it wasn't much better than the Johnson vs Burns 1, which probably made the MMA Gods cry.

coldcall420 · 12-06-2009, 06:51 PM

Great write as usual Josh, I think it was rediculous, I mean the guy needs to go back to ref school.....Bring back Big John, thee morons like Mirgliogatta are a joke as well....

**Mjr** · 12-06-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronMan

Click here for the rest.

Good article, no excusing Jones for what he did. I think the fight should have been stopped much earlier, another shocking call.

This from Dana Whites Twitter last night prior to the Jones vs Hamil fight.

Quote:

I can't believe the nevada state athletic comm puts him in there!!!! Guy knows nothing about MMA. Scary
about 23 hours ago from Tweetie
Illegal knee instantly that mazzagatti doesn't call even when he is staring right at them!
about 23 hours ago from Tweetie

I understand Dana has no say, but I find it hard to believe that he can't get a referee removed.

**IronMan** · 12-06-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mjr

I understand Dana has no say, but I find it hard to believe that he can't get a referee removed.

Dana doesn't have that kind of political clout when it comes to the commission. People forget how much diplomacy it took to get MMA sanctioned in Nevada (a state where the Fertitta's are taken very seriously).

Frankly, the Nevada State Athletic Commission guys do a good job, most of the time, and they are good at keeping promoters from getting too manipulative. That's one of the reasons Keith Kizer gets so much respect from MMA journalists.

But Dana is right on this one and Kizer is just plain wrong.

When Dana is right, I certainly hope people have the common sense to listen to him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swpthleg

He can probably read lips, but it was still a clusterf*ck.

I think he was probably looking at two or three different Mazzagatti's right then, anyway. He was definitely out of it.