Mario Yamasaki to referee UFC 160: ‘Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2' main event

Veteran mixed martial arts (MMA) referee Mario Yamasaki will be the third man in the cage for Saturday's (May 25, 2013) UFC 160 main event.

Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) executive director Keith Kizer recommended that the 49-year-old Yamasaki be the referee for the Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva heavyweight championship contest that headlines UFC 160 during a commission meeting last Friday (May 17, 2013), and the notion was passed with a unanimous vote.

Yamasaki, like all MMA referees, does not have a perfect track record, but there are few that can match his experience at the highest levels of the sport such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Josh Rosenthal was the referee for the first meeting between Velasquez and "Bigfoot" at UFC 146 in May 2012; however, was not eligible for the assignment in the rematch due to his recent drug arrest.

UFC 160 will also feature a match up between former heavyweight division kingpin Junior dos Santos and Mark Hunt, while Glover Teixeira makes his case for a run at the 205-pound title opposite James Te Huna.

Remember: MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 160 fight card on fight night, starting with the Facebook "Prelims," which are scheduled to begin at 6:35 p.m. ET, right on through the FX-televised under card bouts at 8 p.m. ET and then main card PPV action, which is slated to begin at 10 p.m. ET.

For the latest UFC 160 news and notes check out our complete event archive right here. To check out the latest "Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2" fight card and rumors click here.