The Mac
06-10-2010, 05:12 AM
Veteran referee Josh Rosenthal today was selected by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to officiate July's UFC 116 main event between UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and interim belt holder Shane Carwin (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC).
Rosenthal was selected from a pool of available officials that also included Herb Dean, Steve Mazzagatti and Mario Yamasaki at today's NSAC meeting in Las Vegas based on the recommendation of NSAC executive director Keith Kizer.
Both Lesnar's camp and the UFC issued objections to Mazzagatti's potential selection, though NSAC chairman Pat Lundvall ultimately dismissed the claims and included the oft-criticized referee in the pool of potential officials.
MMAjunkie.com today attended the hearing, which took place at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas.
UFC 116 takes place July 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Lesnar's camp was represented by his attorney, David Olsen, who joined the meeting via conference call. Olsen pointed toward Mazzagatti's controversial decision to restart the UFC 81 fight between Lesnar and Frank Mir, as well as the magnitude of criticism the official has received throughout his tenure with the UFC and a "perception of bias" among the public, as reasons why Mazzagatti should not have been eligible for selection.
Zuffa, LLC Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs Michael Mersch, who was present at the meeting, echoed similar sentiments and also questioned the level of Mazzagatti's officiating abilities.
"We believe that some of the other options the commission has may be a better fit because they would provide a higher-caliber performance in terms of the high-profileness of this particular event," Mersch said. "Mr. Mazzagatti, as I think everyone is aware, has been publicly criticized by [UFC president Dana] White several times based on his concern for the health and safety of the fighters. Mr Mazzagatti might not be performing up to the level we would expect and we've come to appreciate."
Lundvall's response was clear.
"Those objections are not legitimate grounds by which to disqualify Mr. Mazzagatti from consideration," Lundvall said.
Nevertheless, Rosenthal was ultimately selected to work the fight.
The evening's judges were determined with far less fanfare.
Adelaide Byrd, Glenn Trowbridge and Tony Weeks will be responsible for determining the UFC's unified heavyweight champion if the UFC 116 bout somehow makes it 25 minutes.
Patricia Morse-Jarman, Nelson "Doc" Hamilton, Cecil Peoples and Roy Silbert were also considered for selection
Rosenthal was selected from a pool of available officials that also included Herb Dean, Steve Mazzagatti and Mario Yamasaki at today's NSAC meeting in Las Vegas based on the recommendation of NSAC executive director Keith Kizer.
Both Lesnar's camp and the UFC issued objections to Mazzagatti's potential selection, though NSAC chairman Pat Lundvall ultimately dismissed the claims and included the oft-criticized referee in the pool of potential officials.
MMAjunkie.com today attended the hearing, which took place at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas.
UFC 116 takes place July 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Lesnar's camp was represented by his attorney, David Olsen, who joined the meeting via conference call. Olsen pointed toward Mazzagatti's controversial decision to restart the UFC 81 fight between Lesnar and Frank Mir, as well as the magnitude of criticism the official has received throughout his tenure with the UFC and a "perception of bias" among the public, as reasons why Mazzagatti should not have been eligible for selection.
Zuffa, LLC Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs Michael Mersch, who was present at the meeting, echoed similar sentiments and also questioned the level of Mazzagatti's officiating abilities.
"We believe that some of the other options the commission has may be a better fit because they would provide a higher-caliber performance in terms of the high-profileness of this particular event," Mersch said. "Mr. Mazzagatti, as I think everyone is aware, has been publicly criticized by [UFC president Dana] White several times based on his concern for the health and safety of the fighters. Mr Mazzagatti might not be performing up to the level we would expect and we've come to appreciate."
Lundvall's response was clear.
"Those objections are not legitimate grounds by which to disqualify Mr. Mazzagatti from consideration," Lundvall said.
Nevertheless, Rosenthal was ultimately selected to work the fight.
The evening's judges were determined with far less fanfare.
Adelaide Byrd, Glenn Trowbridge and Tony Weeks will be responsible for determining the UFC's unified heavyweight champion if the UFC 116 bout somehow makes it 25 minutes.
Patricia Morse-Jarman, Nelson "Doc" Hamilton, Cecil Peoples and Roy Silbert were also considered for selection