UFC's refs hired by EliteXC - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

Heatwaves · 02-11-2007, 02:15 PM

I watched the inaugural EliteXC event last night and was shocked to see the UFC's Herb Dean and Steve Mazagatti referee-ing the bouts. Their outfits were the exact same as the UFC, except instead of the embroidered "UFC" on the pocket it read "EliteXC".

This is surprising because I would have thought that the UFC would have the refs under total contracts just like their fighters as. Their faces reflect MMA legitimacy (as well as UFC recognition) and I would think that the UFC wouldn't easily allow another organization to use their people. By using the UFC's refs, it could leverage EliteXC (in the minds of some people) as UFC endorsed. Obviously, the UFC must not pay their refs very well, nor have them under total contract. Surprising.

Do you think the UFC knew about this? I would think they'd be a little upset.
Or perhaps a better question, are Herb Dean and Mazagatti now with EliteXC?

Gooner · 02-11-2007, 02:16 PM

They are not "UFC refs", they work for the Athletic Commission.

PS.those guys reffed in PRIDE's US event as well.

twigz · 02-11-2007, 02:17 PM

The refs don't work for the UFC, they work for NSAC.

jbomb919 · 02-11-2007, 02:19 PM

I know this isnt the place but how did frank do?

Ninjamonkey · 02-11-2007, 02:28 PM

He got DQ for using illegal knees to the back of the head of gracie on the ground.

Heatwaves · 02-11-2007, 02:38 PM

Well then... that explains everything.

riversideblues · 02-11-2007, 03:35 PM

too bad, is there anyway they can just keep herb dean???

BCguy · 02-11-2007, 03:46 PM

Ive seen herb all over the place in alot of differnt org.

Super Warrior · 02-11-2007, 03:47 PM

Herb dean= Best UFC Ref! Just Ask Ken Shamrock...

BlingDogg · 02-11-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCguy

Ive seen herb all over the place in alot of differnt org.

yeah. i think out of all the regular refs that we see in the ufc, herb travels around the most.
and big john seems to travel around the least.

Super Warrior · 02-11-2007, 04:09 PM

Is Big John contracted to UFC-Only? Or has he been seen in other places too?

The others i suppose i'm not surprised, but to see John reffing in another MMA-org? No way!

BlingDogg · 02-11-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Warrior

Is Big John contracted to UFC-Only? Or has he been seen in other places too?

The others i suppose i'm not surprised, but to see John reffing in another MMA-org? No way!

Could be.
I've seen all the other refs in other organizations, but I can't seem to remember seeing Big John anywhere else.

Kurtis636 · 02-11-2007, 04:32 PM

I've seen Mazagastache everywhere, K-1, ISKA, EliteXC, etc.

Gooner · 02-11-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlingDogg

Could be.
I've seen all the other refs in other organizations, but I can't seem to remember seeing Big John anywhere else.

I haven't seen BJM anywhere else for a while, but I've seen him elsewhere before.

I remember him reffing the Matt Hughes-Pele fight for example (where Hughes got KO'd). No idea which org that was.

AikaImmortal · 02-11-2007, 05:23 PM

Ive seen BJM at K-1's 2005 Shockwave event between Royce Gracie and Akebono, but that was the only time I saw him travel.

MTKrav911 · 02-11-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heatwaves

I watched the inaugural EliteXC event last night and was shocked to see the UFC's Herb Dean and Steve Mazagatti referee-ing the bouts. Their outfits were the exact same as the UFC, except instead of the embroidered "UFC" on the pocket it read "EliteXC".

This is surprising because I would have thought that the UFC would have the refs under total contracts just like their fighters as. Their faces reflect MMA legitimacy (as well as UFC recognition) and I would think that the UFC wouldn't easily allow another organization to use their people. By using the UFC's refs, it could leverage EliteXC (in the minds of some people) as UFC endorsed. Obviously, the UFC must not pay their refs very well, nor have them under total contract. Surprising.

Do you think the UFC knew about this? I would think they'd be a little upset.
Or perhaps a better question, are Herb Dean and Mazagatti now with EliteXC?

UFC refs arent under contract. They work all over, including strikeforce. They've worked for WEC, they've worked for KOTC... They're hired guns.

Bomber · 02-11-2007, 08:10 PM

- How are the fees set?
- Does a ref get the same amount for KOTC and UFC?
- Are some refs higher paid than others? (I'd expect so).
- How much control does the UFC have over who referrees? I've heard they can veto a ref, but can they request one for a particular match?

clubberbang · 02-11-2007, 08:34 PM

i seen them at kotc event a while ago, was kind of surprised. good ole herb explained it to me.

hes a cool one

RebLMunkE · 02-12-2007, 09:56 AM

Most of them I think are just MMA Refs.......I've seen Herb Ref. for Ohio Fight Fest here.

AikaImmortal · 02-12-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomber

- How are the fees set?
- Does a ref get the same amount for KOTC and UFC?
- Are some refs higher paid than others? (I'd expect so).
- How much control does the UFC have over who referrees? I've heard they can veto a ref, but can they request one for a particular match?

Refs are paid by the state athletic commission, so salary depends on the amount paid by each state. The promotors can request certian refs for certian fights. The way the system works for the most part is that each state has an official ref, while the other refs are billed as 'visiting'. Some promotions tend to have the same visiting refs, but the refs are still paid via the athletic comission. Interesting bit of trivia, Steve Mazagatti is the official MMA ref for the state of Nevada.