The Doggy Bag: Critiquing Dana White

Refereeing UFC 92

From Sherdog.com’s UFC 92 Notebook:
"Still reeling from his technical knockout loss to Mir at UFC 92, Nogueira (31-5-1) faced the inevitable question regarding a potential matchup with Couture."

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I'm sorry, but I can't accept this. The ref was clearly the deciding factor in this fight. The stoppage was completely arbitrary. Nog was not out. He was not even given the time to show us if he could defend himself. I think Nog -- the living F’ing legend -- deserves the benefit of the doubt in this matter; especially when [Cheick] Kongo was allowed to almost kill [Mustapha] al Turk.

This is not some up and coming fighter who got "caught." This is one of the most decorated fighters that just so happens to take a lot of punishment in most fights before he wins. The MMA community should not put up with this level of bull---t, and should therefore change the TKO to "ref stoppage" since that is what it was.
-- CHR

Mike Fridley, managing editor: While I do agree that referee Steve Mazzagatti did a mediocre job in not acting a bit sooner during the Kongo-al Turk thrashing at UFC 92, our opinions differ on the executive decision dished out on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

You must have missed the live broadcast, which clearly showed a wobbly “Minotauro” stumble into referee Herb Dean’s arms just seconds after absorbing two powerful left hooks and a flurry of punches on the ground. Dean watched closely for approximately four seconds after Mir pounced on the fallen Brazilian with lefts and rights, which in my humble point of view was more than fair, even with Nogueira’s reputation for rallying in fights where he has been battered.

I personally commend Dean for taking action when he did. Let’s be real for a second; Nogueira was getting thoroughly dominated by Mir. Like Yogi Berra said, “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” But folks, that fight was over. The proverbial fat lady was hitting her best octave just as the former Pride heavyweight champion folded to the canvas for the fourth time in the contest.

When a fighter’s safety is in question, it’s the sole responsibility of the third man in the Octagon to make split-second decisions that affect not only the long-term health of the athletes involved, but the sport’s growth and prosperity in its most critical stage of development.

Refereeing is a thankless job.

Until now. Thank you, Mr. Dean.

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