M. Yamasaki has not played for the UFC since February 2018. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Loaded with all the experience he has in MMA, Mario Yamasaki, who has already refereed countless fights in Ultimate, spoke exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS about notable episodes in the UFC 286. Asked if the referee of the fight between Jafel Filho and Muhammad Mokaev could have taken some action when he saw the Englishman's leg bend, the veteran explained how the rule works in these moments.
“The rule as a referee is that you cannot stop the fight until the leg breaks and the athlete can no longer fight, defend himself intelligently. We never know, as a referee, what the fighter's flexibility is, so we can't imagine whether he will be able to handle it or not. Some have a more flexible ligament. In MMA you can't stop until you break. It cannot be interrupted because the referee thinks the athlete may have an injury”, explained Yamasaki.
Jafel Filho try to finish Muhammad Mokayev No. UFC 286. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufcbrasil
After resisting the tough hold applied by Jafel, Mokaev managed to reverse the position and submit the Brazilian. When he got up to celebrate, the athlete already showed signs of injury as he limped as he walked around the Octagon. The following day, the England representative published a photo on social media showing his knee was completely swollen. According to the fighter, 'the pain of giving up would be worse than the injury'.
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Sam Patterson concussion and worrying reaction
In the next fight, Sam Patterson starred in a powerful scene when he unconsciously tried to confront the fight referee, Marc Goddard, after receiving several blows from his opponent. In a division of opinions, fans condemned Yanal Ashmoz's attitude of continuing to throw punches in the absence of his rival's defense. According to Yamasaki, the protocol (after the interruption) was well carried out, but the fight should have been stopped sooner.
“I think Goddard is one of the most experienced referees in the world, but he took a while to stop the fight. Patterson had a head concussion and at this moment he still doesn't know where he is. I think Gorddard and the entire team did well, they held him calmly (…) but there's no way to avoid it, everyone reacts differently to the knockout. After he gets knocked out once, the body learns and shuts down to avoid further damage. The referee took a while because Sam was still moving, he was practically knocked out, but he wasn't knocked out,” said Mario.
Sam Patterson was defeated by Yanal Ashmoz in the UFC 286. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
When talking about 'unnecessary' blows, Yamasaki pointed out that the sport will evolve.
“MMA is a new sport, the rules will evolve. I believe that this type of situation, as well as weight cutting, will still evolve a little. We have to wait for the kindness of everyone, the MMA thinkers, to change this. But it’s difficult”, concluded the referee.
Despite the scare, Sam Patterson he returned to consciousness while still in the octagon. A UFC debutant, the fighter suffered the second defeat of his career.
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