Mário Yamasaki exclusive at TATAME

Photo Josh Hedges

One of the best referees in the UFC. Mario Yamasaki spoke with TATAME.com before working on UFC 102 main event, between Randy Couture and Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, and commented about his beginning in the UFC, the toughest fight he has worked, his heart when a Brazilian is fighting and more. “I don’t change, I try to be always correct, but in the bottom of the heart I always cheer for the Brazilians”, said Yamasaki, in the exclusive interview you read clicking here.

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Mário Yamasaki

One of the best referees in the UFC. Mario Yamasaki spoke with TATAME.com before working on UFC 102 main event, between Randy Couture and Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, and commented about his beginning in the UFC, the toughest fight he has worked, his heart when a Brazilian is fighting and more. “I don’t change, I try to be always correct, but in the bottom of the heart I always cheer for the Brazilians”, said Yamasaki, in the exclusive interview you check below.

How do you feel when the show is getting started?

My adrenaline starts now... You know (this arena) will be full, 20 thousand people, and I’m doing the main event, so we’re kind of nervous to start.

When did you started refereeing?

My father was also a referee in Judo, he went to the Olympics, and I grew up watching him refereeing. When we took the UFC to Brazil, I asked Big John (McCarty) why he was the only referee, and he said they were looking for another referee, so I said “you found it”. I started then I didn’t stop anymore.

Which was the toughest fight you worked on?

The toughest fight ever was the first time I did a main event. It was in Las Vegas, almost 20 thousand people, Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell… That was when I was more nervous, but John McCarty came to said it was only one more fight… He helped me a lot, he was a big mentor. I thank him a lot for that.

How do you feel when you’re gonna work in a fight with a Brazilian?

(laughs) My heart always cheer for the Brazilians, but inside the octagon I’m always the same. I don’t change, I try to be always correct, but in the bottom of the heart I always cheer for the Brazilians.

How is your work in the US?

I’m here for nine years, we have nine Jiu-Jitsu, Capoeira and Muay Thai gyms, I also have a construction company, and we do hotels buildings, everything.

And how is your work as referee?

We’re not hired by the UFC, we work for the Athletic Commission, and they hire us for the events. I spoke with others judges and I’m gonna open a course to form referees. We’re gonna start it in November.

What do you think it needs to change in the Brazilian MMA to become like it is nowadays in the US?

I did five events in Brazil and the tough about Brazil is the fans. The fans buy the tickets too close to the event and the promoters don’t have too incentive to do events. The problem is that they have to buy tickets… We do one event there, we don’t get any money and we won’t do another. We have a lot of fighters, and UFC didn’t come to Brazil yet because of that. The first time we went there, a lot of people tried to enter because its friend of someone…On the other hand, the country is wonderful, the people are beautiful, everybody loves to go to Brazil, and we have the best fighters. We need the fans to contribute with the MMA.

http://www.tatame.com/2009/09/08/Mario-Yamasaki