Referee Mario Yamasaki disqualified welterweight Erick Silva for hitting Carlo Prater on the back of the head at UFC 142. He was a guest on Portal do Vale Tudo's podcast yesterday and addressed the subject of instant replay, which was not available to the referees at UFC 142 in Brazil.
"To err is human and it is no shame to admit that you made a mistake and change your opinion." he stated. "I think it is great for the referees (the new rule) and give us an opportunity the take a better look in what happened and finally make our decision. The athletes work so hard to fight at the UFC that they deserve it.
"(Erick Silva) showed class and maturity. He could have made it a circus with the interview after the fight, but understood the situation and behaved like a real gentleman. He is a great kid."
"(Joe Rogan) was doing his job and it was my mistake of staying there in the middle. I should had left before that."
Yamasaki also said that he and former UFC heavyweight and longtime referee in the Brazilian MMA scene, Carlos Barreto, are meeting weekly to prepare the foundation of the first Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission, with all the support of the UFC.
"The UFC is the one that wants and needs the most an Athletic Commission in Brazil. They want and they need Brazilian referees, judges and cutmen to help develop the sport in the country and to cut the expenses of bringing an entire staff from USA and Europe. Carlão and I are putting together all the legal issues and will be organizing many seminars, courses and training for referees, judges and cutmen. We'll start in March and will bring many professionals from the US to help us prepare and specialize people to do the work in Brazil" said Yamasaki.
More SBNation coverage of UFC 142.