This is great news and a great idea. Coming from somebody who truelly wishes to venture into the area of referring, perhaps career-wise (savin' up for that trip to Vegas for COMMAND), I am glad to see a Commissioner giving the go ahead for a young ref. to shadow such MMA greats as Herb Dean and Mario Yamaski (MY dream shadow would include those two, Josh Rosenthall, & Big John).

via www.thefightnerd.com

Straight from Sherdog-

"TAC Executive Director Jeff Mullen, a former judge, confirmed on Thursday that his sanctioning body had given the green light for up-and-coming official Brian Beauchamp to shadow assigned referees Dan Miragliotta, Greg Franklin, Mario Yamasaki and Herb Dean at UFC 107 "Penn vs. Sanchez" this Saturday at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

Beauchamp, who studied under "Big" John McCarthy and graduated from his COMMAND referee course, has officiated matches under the Maximum Fighting Championship banner in Canada and has designs on moving into the pantheon of elite MMA referees. Mullen believes shadowing some of the more respected figures in his profession can only help his cause.

Beauchamp will spend time on the wings of all four referees, though his focus will remain on Dean and Yamasaki, according to Mullen. It figures to provide invaluable experience. "

via myprclub.com