The Worst UFC Referees and Their Calls in MMA History

Big John Mccarthy

The Worst UFC Referees and Their Calls in MMA History

The Role of a Referee in MMA

Refereeing in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the most challenging jobs in sports.

The referee, along with any other referee officiating the event, is responsible for ensuring fighter safety, enforcing the rules, and making split-second decisions that can determine the outcome of a fight.

While many referees do an excellent job under immense pressure, some calls have been so egregious that they have become infamous in MMA history.

A bad referee decision can lead to unnecessary injuries, unfair results, and even damage a fighter’s career trajectory.

Whether it’s a late stoppage, an early stoppage, or a misinterpretation of the rules, poor officiating has played a role in some of the most controversial moments in MMA history.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the worst referee calls ever made inside the cage.

Referee Performance

The Gold Standard: Big John McCarthy and Herb Dean

In the world of mixed martial arts, few names command as much respect as Big John McCarthy and Herb Dean.

These two referees have set the gold standard for officiating, earning accolades for their deep understanding of the sport and their ability to make quick, accurate decisions under immense pressure.

Herb Dean being the gold standard of mma

Big John McCarthy, often referred to simply as “Big John,” has been a cornerstone of MMA officiating for over two decades. His extensive experience with the UFC and his profound knowledge of the sport’s rules have made him a trusted figure in the cage.

McCarthy has been at the helm of some of the biggest fights in MMA history, including bouts featuring legends like Jon Jones and Frank Mir. His authoritative presence and unwavering commitment to fighter safety have earned him a reputation as one of the best in the business.

Herb Dean, another veteran referee, has also been a pivotal figure in MMA for over 20 years. Known for his calm and confident demeanor, Dean has officiated numerous high-profile fights, including the memorable clash between Frank Mir and Tim Sylvia.

His background as a former heavyweight MMA fighter gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to separate fighters with grappling techniques without causing harm. Dean’s professionalism and presence in the cage have made him a favorite among fighters and fans alike.

Criticisms of Referees

While McCarthy and Dean have set high standards, not all referees have managed to meet them. Steve Mazzagatti and Mario Yamasaki, for instance, have faced significant criticism for their questionable calls.

Mazzagatti’s handling of fights like Jon Jones vs. Matt Hamill and Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson has drawn ire for perceived biases and inconsistent rulings.

Similarly, Yamasaki’s controversial decisions, such as allowing Valentina Shevchenko to continue pummeling Priscila Cachoeira, have sparked debates about fighter safety and officiating standards.

On the other hand, referees like Jason Herzog and Mark Smith have been praised for their accuracy and fairness. Herzog, known for his meticulous attention to detail, has officiated some of the biggest fights of the past decade, earning widespread respect in the MMA community.

Mark Smith, with his principled approach and quick decision-making, has also garnered positive reviews from fighters and fans.

Marc Goddard, a former fighter turned referee, has been lauded for his deep knowledge of the sport and his ability to make accurate calls.

His work in high-profile bouts, including those featuring top fighters like Jon Jones, has solidified his reputation as one of the best in the business.

Despite the criticisms faced by some, referees like Herzog, Smith, and Goddard demonstrate that excellence in officiating is achievable and essential for the integrity of the sport.

1. Steve Mazzagatti: Jon Jones vs. Matt Hamill (The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale, 2009)

Jon Jones was dominating Matt Hamill when he landed a series of illegal 12-to-6 elbows.

While the elbows were against the rules, the controversy lies in referee Steve Mazzagatti’s decision to disqualify Jones instead of ruling the fight a no-contest.

Jon Jones only L

This decision occurred at the Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale in 2009. Many argue that Hamill was already compromised before the illegal strikes and that a disqualification was an excessively harsh ruling.

This remains the only official loss on Jones' record and is still a topic of debate among fans and analysts.

2. Yves Lavigne: Matt Brown vs. Pete Sell (UFC 96, 2009)

Matt Brown overwhelmed Pete Sell with relentless strikes, leaving Sell barely able to stand.

Referee Yves Lavigne initially appeared to stop the fight, but then hesitated, instructing Brown to continue attacking.

Brown vs Sell

Yves Lavigne allowed the fight to continue despite Sell being visibly dazed and out on his feet. This led to an unnecessary and prolonged beating that should have been avoided.

The situation was so bizarre that even Brown himself looked confused, unsure whether he should keep fighting. Lavigne eventually stopped the bout, but his indecisiveness drew significant criticism from fans and commentators alike.

3. Mario Yamasaki: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Priscila Cachoeira (UFC Fight Night 125, 2018)

Mario Yamasaki has a history of questionable refereeing, but his handling of Valentina Shevchenko vs. Priscila Cachoeira stands out as one of the worst.

Shevchenko dominated the fight, landing over 200 strikes while taking virtually no damage. Despite Cachoeira being visibly outmatched and defenseless, Yamasaki allowed the fight to continue far too long.

This one-sided fight is often cited as an example of Yamasaki allowing a bout to go on unnecessarily. Dana White and many fans condemned Yamasaki for his failure to protect the fighter, and the incident remains one of the most glaring examples of poor officiating in MMA history.

4. Steve Mazzagatti: Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson (UFC Fight Night 14, 2008)

Steve Mazzagatti makes the list again for his handling of the Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson fight.

Burns repeatedly poked Johnson in the eye throughout the bout, yet Mazzagatti failed to penalize him.

In the third round, another eye poke caused Johnson to collapse in pain.

Shockingly, Mazzagatti ruled it a TKO victory for Burns instead of stopping the fight due to an illegal strike. The decision was widely criticized, and a rematch was later held, but the damage to Johnson's career had already been done.

5. Dan Miragliotta: Dustin Poirier vs. Eddie Alvarez II (UFC 211, 2017)

In their highly anticipated rematch, Eddie Alvarez landed an illegal knee to a downed Dustin Poirier.

Rather than disqualifying Alvarez, referee Dan Miragliotta ruled the strike accidental, leading to the fight being declared a no-contest.

Many fans and analysts argued that Alvarez should have been disqualified, as the knee was clearly illegal and directly affected the fight's outcome.

The ruling sparked further debate about inconsistent officiating in MMA and the need for clearer enforcement of the rules.

6. Kim Winslow: Miesha Tate vs. Cat Zingano (The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, 2013)

Kim Winslow has been criticized for her officiating multiple times, but her stoppage in Miesha Tate vs. Cat Zingano was one of the most debated.

Zingano was delivering heavy knees to Tate, who appeared to be covering up but still conscious. Winslow stopped the fight, declaring Zingano the winner via TKO.

While some argued it was a justified stoppage, others felt it was too early, especially considering Tate's history of toughness.

The controversy only grew when it was revealed that the winner would go on to coach The Ultimate Fighter opposite Ronda Rousey, making the decision even more impactful.

7. Cecil Peoples: Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir (UFC 111, 2010)

Cecil Peoples has long been known for questionable officiating and judging.

In Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir, Peoples allowed Carwin to repeatedly hammer Mir with unanswered shots while he was pinned against the cage.

The fight should have been stopped much earlier, as Mir was clearly unable to defend himself.

The late stoppage resulted in unnecessary punishment for Mir and added to the ongoing criticism of Peoples’ officiating skills.

Peoples is considered not very well-liked in the MMA community due to his poor officiating record.

The Role of Commissions

Oversight and Accountability

Beyond the performance of individual referees, the role of commissions in overseeing MMA is crucial for ensuring fair and safe competition.

Commissions are tasked with regulating the sport, enforcing rules, and holding officials accountable.

However, their effectiveness has often been called into question.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), one of the most prominent regulatory bodies, has faced criticism for its handling of referee controversies. For instance, the early stoppage in the fight between Renato Moicano and Rafael Fiziev raised questions about the commission’s oversight and decision-making processes.

Critics argue that the NSAC has been too lenient on referees who make mistakes, failing to prevent late stoppages and other safety issues.

To improve oversight and accountability, many advocate for greater transparency regarding judges and referees, including their experience and scoring criteria.

Educating officials about the sport and its rules is also seen as essential for reducing errors and ensuring consistent officiating. Additionally, commissions should be more proactive in addressing controversies and implementing measures to enhance fighter safety.

Ultimately, the performance of referees and the role of commissions are intertwined and critical to the integrity of MMA.

By holding referees to high standards and ensuring that commissions are transparent and accountable, the sport can continue to evolve and improve. This will help maintain a fair and safe environment for fighters, allowing them to compete with confidence in the integrity of the sport.

The Importance of Better Officiating

Refereeing in MMA is an incredibly difficult job, requiring quick thinking, a deep understanding of the rules, and the ability to protect fighters from unnecessary harm, just like any other referee in the sport.

Fighters want referees who are focused, strict, and knowledgeable, as these qualities are essential for maintaining fairness and safety in the cage.

While mistakes are inevitable, some errors are more egregious than others, leading to widespread criticism and controversy.

For instance, Chris Tognoni was involved in the Ed Herman vs. Mike Rodriguez fight, where he incorrectly stopped the fight for a low blow when the shot was legal, significantly impacting the fight’s outcome.

UFC veteran Renato Moicano also criticized Tognoni for making controversial calls, including the low blow ruling in this fight. Poor officiating can alter careers, tarnish the legitimacy of results, and put fighter safety at risk.

To improve officiating in MMA, there have been calls for better training programs, clearer rule enforcement, and the implementation of instant replay for controversial situations.

Fighters have also expressed their preferences for referees like Herb Dean, who received 34.4 percent of the votes for best referee, highlighting the importance of having skilled and respected officials in the sport.

Jason Herzog is also regarded well by fighters due to his presence and professionalism in the cage. However, not all referees have earned such respect.

Renato Moicano criticized Chris Tognoni for failing to take action during multiple fouls in the fight between Nassourdine Imavov and Phil Hawes.

 Organizations like the UFC and state athletic commissions continue to refine their officiating standards, but there is still work to be done.

Conclusion

While these referees have faced significant backlash for their decisions, it’s important to remember that they operate under immense pressure.

Many fighters recognize the immense pressure that referees face during fights. However, that doesn’t excuse the mistakes that have directly impacted fighters’ careers and safety.

Steve Mazzagatti and Mario Yamasaki, for instance, were voted as the worst referees by fighters, with Mazzagatti receiving 22 percent of the vote and Yamasaki 32.2 percent.

On the other hand, Marc Goddard has been noted for his demeanor, which some fighters believe helps him do his job better. As MMA continues to evolve, so must the standards and practices of those responsible for enforcing the rules.

At Fight.TV, we strive to provide in-depth analysis of the sport’s biggest moments, both good and bad. Refereeing errors serve as learning experiences, ensuring that future fights are officiated with greater fairness and consistency. Stay tuned as we continue to break down the most controversial moments in combat sports history.