Yamasaki explained why he chose to stop fighting against Jacaré (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)
the defeat of Ronaldo Jacare for Robert whittaker at UFC Kansas, held last Saturday (15), caused controversy. According to the opinions of many MMA fans, referee Mario Yamasaki's interruption was hasty, as the Brazilian reacted by turning to the position on all fours, while continuing to receive blows from the Australian. However, Yamasaki made a point of stating that he does not consider himself wrong in the move, and emphasizes that he is just following the rules.
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“I talk to a lot of people about Gary Goodridge, Eder Jofre and Maguila, who suffer from dementia pugilistica. People don't know how dangerous it is to take unnecessary punches. I'm following my ethics and also the athletic commission. Everyone on the athletic commission highlighted my work, but the fans didn't like it. They say I don't like Brazilians, blah blah blah. But I'm the referee, I have to follow the rules”, declared the referee, in an interview with the website 'MMA Fighting' (USA).
Yamasaki also drew attention to the different views that exist between the judge, inside the octagon, and the fans. For him, outsiders cannot understand the details that influence decisions.
“Watching it on television, you might get the impression that I could have let the fight go a little longer. However, you cannot see the athlete's eyes. He was hurt, he would only take more blows and it was my decision to make sure he was safe since he had no way to defend himself anymore”, he concluded.
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