Unveiling the Top 10 MMA Referees of All Time: Legendary Officiators Who Shaped the Octagon
Unveiling the Top 10 MMA Referees of All Time: Legendary Officiators Who Shaped the Octagon
By Ali Hammad June 02, 2024 15:24
In the lightning-fast world of mixed martial arts (MMA), referees are essential to the safety and integrity of the sport. The unsung heroes of the game, these individuals make split-second decisions that can shift the tide of war. So, let us move onto the list top 10 MMA referees of all time and delve into the reasons why they are respectively occupying their spot in the list. Note this list does not document who the best but those who are the most well known and most impactful.
10. Steve Mazzagatti
Well, your eyes may pop out that Steve Mazzagatti made it into the top 10, but the man has been around forever and making decisions in big fights for years. While there have been some controversial decisions in the past, Mazzagatti majority of work has landed him in the top half of the rankings.
9. Greg Franklin
Joe was a friend of mine, and he actually went out alone, and saw a tremendous crash, and not long afterwards, he was in an MMA fight., if I'm not mistaken, he had a friend or two train him, in a spacious wood-floored backyard to house a private "cage" -- backyard MMA and a mauling experience at a bar or numerous bars, as is customary, for the driver with the loud muffler and the low IQ. He has become regarded as a top official with a strong track record in Bellator as well as other promotions.
8. Mike Beltran
The unique mustache itself is already a statement of authority when Mike Beltran is in the cage. Working in the Strikeforce hexagon as well as many California regional cages has made him a very well known and trustworthy ref.
7. Kevin Mulhall
Kevin Mulhall has a casual, unassuming matter, which does not project that of a fighter; not even close, but once those cage doors close and that bell goes off, you would never know it, the underrated and under-utilized 185er is actually a f—ing killer in the ring. The incredible speed with which White reacts, combined with his skill in pulling fighters apart when required, no doubt makes him an essential asset in the world of combat sports.
6. Yves Lavigne
Yves Lavigne is a long time Canadian/Amereican professional MMA Referee whose officiating highlight reel stretches back in both Canada and America to high-lvel fghts such as Lyoto Machida vs. Tito Ortiz. Although not everyone is going to be thrilled with Steve's calls, I think he has established himself as one of the premier officials in all of MMA.
5. Marc Goddard
Marc Goddard — United Kingdom The UK made history with Goddard as the first UK UFC referee. He has got the knowledge of how to transition from a fighter to a referee, as well as a good understanding of what happens in the cage; with that in mind, Keith has become a chief landmark in MMA refereeing.
4. Mario Yamasaki
At UFC 142, an unpopular disqualification marked a turning point in the veteran referee's career and led to his UFC blacklist. Nevertheless, his extensive experience, having reffed over 400 fights in a variety of MMA promotions, are notable in the overall landscape of MMA refereeing.
3. Josh Rosenthal
When it comes to a highly at Referee/Wrestler Josh Rosenthal the wrestler in the cage, it can be pointed to the best refs in the business and one of the few things an ref should be doing consistently to be making decisions on time, when in the cage. The fact that he can make justice with little errors has made him one of the VC vowing guys in the job.
2. Herb Dean
The top spot is, of course, the luminary Herb Dean. Dean's constant high level of performance and the way he ensures the health and safety of fighters have made him the Babe Ruth of MMA refereeing. From saving Frank Mir's arm against Tim Sylvia to so many other defining moments, each has served as a clinic on why he is the best.
1. John McCarthy
By many, "Big" John McCarthy is considered to be the original referee of MMA with his unparalleled contributions to the sport. He was instrumental in putting together the Unified Rules of MMA and is widely considered one of the most experienced and knowledgeable referees in the sport. Big John created the rules themselves and without him, who knows where the sport of MMA would be today. Big John can still be found doing MMA Commentary on his podcast "Weighing In" with Josh "The Punk" Thomson.
Not only have these top 10 MMA referees called countless fights, but they have also devoted their time and energy and truly know the sport. Their contributions to the safety and fairness of MMA have been lasting and have enshrined their legacy as two of the greatest referees in the history of the sport.
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