Brock Lesnar's agent, David Olsen, along with UFC attorney Michael Mersch recently made a stink with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), requesting that referee Steve Mazzagatti be removed from consideration as the man in charge of the action during the heavyweight title fight at UFC 116: "Lesnar vs. Carwin" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 3, as reported by Sherdog.com.
Mazzagatti officiated Lesnar’s Octagon debut against Frank Mir at UFC 81: "Breaking Point" in February 2008, and this marks the third time Camp Lesnar has objected to Mazaggatti's participation (UFC 91, UFC 100).
In the opening seconds of his UFC debut, Lesnar stormed the former champion and began to maul him with a flurry of strikes. It appeared that Lesnar was on his way to an impressive technical knockout victory; however, the former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star landed several questionable -- and according to Mazzagatti -- illegal blows to the back of the head.
As a result, the action was stopped and Lesnar was docked one point. And when the action restarted, Mir survived another blitzkrieg and locked in a fight-ending submission (kneebar) just 91 seconds into the match.
Of course, several fans blamed Mazzagatti and his ruling for the result rather than Lesnar and his inability to defend submissions and/or land legal blows. Regardless, when all was said and done, it was perhaps the most hectic and crazy minute and a half of action inside the Octagon in all of 2008.
And based on this recent request, still a sore spot for Team Lesnar.
In addition to Mazzagatti, Herb Dean, Josh Rosenthal and Mario Yamasaki were all under consideration to officiate the Lesnar-Carwin match.
NSAC Chairwoman Pat Lundvall found no evidence of referee bias -- the crux of Olsen's objection -- and refused to remove Mazzagatti from consideration. In the end it didn't matter, as Josh Rosenthal was appointed as the man in charge, which hopefully means that Lesnar can now focus 100-percent on Carwin come fight night.
Anyone out there in MMA land think it may be time to rid Mazzagatti of his Scarlet Letter? Or do you support the movement to keep him out of this -- and future main events?
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