Mario Yamasaki issues statement following controversial co-main event at UFC Belem.<\/p>\n
Mixed martial arts referee Mario Yamasaki faced a ton of criticism following his controversial stoppage in the co-main event of last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 125 event<\/a> in Belem, Brazil.<\/p>\n The veteran referee allowed flyweight newcomer Priscila Cachoeira to take a lot of damage from the fists and elbows of former women’s bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko without stepping in to call of the contest.<\/p>\n “The Bullet” would eventually put a stop the mauling when she secured a rear-naked choke in round two which forced the previously undefeated Cachoeira to tapout<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yamasaki was showered with a bunch of hateful messages on social media, including an Instagram post from UFC President Dana White<\/a>.<\/p>\n Priscilla Cachoeira, you showed so much heart and toughness in that fight. I\u2019m honored to have you fight in the UFC. Unfortunately the ref is there to protect you and Mario DID NOT do that. This isn\u2019t his first disgusting performance in the octagon. Another unfortunate thing is that i can\u2019t do anything about I️t only the Brazilian commission can and i am hoping after this scary, incompetent showing he hopefully will never set foot in that Octagon again. Strikes landed was 230-3.<\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by Dana White<\/a> (@danawhite) on \n