Yamazaki ignores criticism from Dana White, but recognizes mistake in Pedrita fight

Yamazaki recognizes mistake at UFC Belém. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook MarioYamazaki

Brazilian referee Mário Yamasaki received harsh criticism from UFC president, Dana White, for not stopping the fight between Valentina Shevchenko e Priscila Pedrita at UFC Belém. The Kyrgyzstani severely punished the Brazilian with 230 punches on the ground and the mediator let the dispute continue until the submission in the second round. This Tuesday (05), Yamazaki guarantees that he doesn't mind the criticism, but recognizes that he made a mistake in the fight.

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Through an official note, released by his press office, Mário acknowledged that he made a mistake in the dispute, when Pedrita had to tap twice for the rear naked choke applied by Valentina. Regarding the enormous sequence of punches applied by the Kyrgyzstani, Yamazaki says he could have stopped the fight, but he guaranteed that Priscila, despite the visible disadvantage, tried to react in the duel.

At the end of the note, Yamazaki commented on the criticism received succinctly: 'As for other people's opinions, it is your right to express them'.

Check out Yamazaki's full statement below

“During the second round, I signaled to the athlete Pedrita that if she didn't move I would be stopping the fight, and every time I would stop I signaled to her and she moved in an attempt to escape the blows. Unfortunately, I also can't control the number of blows delivered, again: while she's looking for a comeback, she's in the game.

Fighters go through periods of a lot of effort and dedication to be there. MMA is a contact sport and no fighter likes a fight interrupted without the chance to reverse the result. In my view, I allowed Pedrita to be a warrior and continue fighting, she could have stopped the fight with the second crucifix or the mount, but she moved all the time.

I also recognize that I should have stopped at the first hit of the rear naked choke, and I only stopped seconds later. As for other people’s opinions, it is your right (again) to express them.”