Mario Yamasaki raises Thales Leites's arm at Bitetti Combat 6. Photo: Carlos Ozorio

UFC referee and Jiu-Jitsu black belt Mario Yamasaki will see action this Friday at Bitetti Combat in Rio de Janeiro. To make it for the occasion, Mario had to ask to be released from his duties at UFC 114 in Las Vegas this Saturday. What were his reasons for doing so? To support MMA in his country.

“To give you an idea, there’s going to be a UFC this Saturday. I spoke to Bitetti and Fernando and they told me they wanted me at their event. I chose to stay out this time because I want to help MMA in Brazil. The sport started in Brazil and we have to be strong. People have to support the events and not just try and get in free or criticize. What we need in the country is support and sponsors,” he told GRACIEMAG.com.

The fact he will referee at BC doesn’t mean he is unsatisfied with the UFC. Indeed, Yamasaki is more than satisfied with the biggest event in the world, even with his boss, the controversial Dana White.

“He’s always been great to me and is a great guy. I have no complaints. There are a lot of people who criticize Bitetti Combat, for example. But the guys at the event have always dealt with me properly and that’s why I’m here. Dana’s a good boss.”

In the USA the ref supports different events too, like he did with Washington Combat recently, where he had Pedro Rizzo and Gustavo Ximu put in appearances.

“What I do is support the event, whether it be by using my fighter or sponsor contacts. I can’t get involved in the production because I’m a referee. I leave that to my brother, but I give all the support needed for success,” he says in finishing.

Pedro Rizzo in a classic pose from his days in the UFC, in a photo by Susumo Nagao

With backing from such major sponsors like Hyundai, Toyota, Dollamur/Swain and District Lounge, Washington Combat, an MMA event promoted by the Yamasaki brothers, pleased the crowd in the capital of the USA.

Check out the highlights from the event on the Washington Post website here.

Check out the complete results:

Washington Combat 1
DC Armory, Washington DC, EUAUSA
May 15, 2010

Peter Simone defeated Francisco Salguero by judges’ decision

Chris Buckner defeated Jahmal McNellan by technical knockout at 2:02 min of R3

Matt Van Buren defeated Manny Okorie by judges’ decision

Ovince Sain Preux defeated Claudio Godoy by doctor’s intervention after R1 (Godoy fractured his forearm and was unable to return for R2)

Marco “Loro” Galvão defeated David Derby via technical knockout at 1:37 min of R1

Jordan Smith defeated Gustavo “Ximu” Machado by judges’ decision

Pedro Rizzo defeated Gary Goodridge by desistance after R1

Pedro Rizzo em pose clássica nos tempos de UFC, na imagem do fotógrafo Susumu Nagao.

Contando com patrocinadores de grande porte como Hyundai, Toyota, Dollamur/Swain e District Lounge, o Washington Combat, evento de MMA dos irmãos Yamasaki agradou o público na capital dos EUA.

Confira alguns lances do evento no site do jornal “Washington Post”, aqui.

Resultados completos:

Washington Combat 1

DC Armory, Washington DC, EUA

15 de maio de 2010

Peter Simone venceu Francisco Salguero por decisão dos jurados

Chris Buckner venceu Jahmal McNellan por nocaute técnico aos 2min02s do 3R

Matt Van Buren venceu Manny Okorie por decisão dos jurados

Ovince Sain Preux venceu Claudio Godoy por interrupção médica após o 1R (Godoy fraturou o antebraço e nãoretornou ao 2R)

Marco “Loro” Galvão venceu David Derby por nocaute técnico a 1min37s do 1R

Jordan Smith venceu Gustavo “Ximu” Machado por decisão dos jurados

Pedro Rizzo venceu Gary Goodridge por desistência após o 1R

Better known as Pedro Rizzo and Marco Loro, the teammates from Nova União dispatched their opponents Gary Goodridge and David Derby, respectively.

Rizzo imposed the pace in the second round and got the better of seasoned veteran Goodridge, who was barred by medics from returning for the third round. Rizzo now prepares for another battle of legends, his fight with Ken Shamrock on July 10.

Now Loro was even more damaging to his opponent, with a knockout in the first minute.

Check back with GRACIEMAG.com later for complete results.

Loro, em foto de divulgação.

O Washington Combat, evento realizado sábado à noite, foi palco das vitórias dos renomados Pedro Augusto e Marco Galvão.

Mais conhecidos como Pedro Rizzo e Marco Loro, os companheiros de treino na Nova União despacharam seus dois oponentes, respectivamente Gary Goodridge e David Derby.

Rizzo impôs seu ritmo no segundo round e avariou o experiente Goodridge, a fera de Trinidad e Tobago, que foi vetado pelos médicos de retornar para o terceiro assalto. Rizzo agora se prepara para outra batalha de lendas, a luta com Ken Shamrock no dia 10 de julho.

Já Loro foi ainda mais contundente, nocauteando o adversário com um minuto de luta, com socos.

Aguarde os resultados completos aqui, no GRACIEMAG.com.

Ximu is another on the card for Washington Combat. Photo: Carlos Ozorio

Pedro Rizzo faces Gary Goodridge this coming May 15 at Washington Combat, an event promoted by UFC referee Mario Yamasaki. However, there are a number of other interesting matchups on the card.

Besides Gustavo Ximu, who faces Jordan Smith, Jiu-Jitsu black belt Marcos Loro will have some special help in facing Albert Rios.

“I’m here in New York to help Loro prepare for this fight,” said Jose Aldo to GRACIEMAG.com.

Other black belts on the card are Claudio Godoy, who will face Joel Wyatt, and Gabriel Miglioli, who will have John George across the cage from him.

Check out the promotional video from the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRBd4bnY0oQ

Ximu também estará em ação. Foto: Carlos Ozório

Pedro Rizzo encara Gary Goodridge no dia 15 de maio, no Washington Combat, evento que conta com a organização do juiz do UFC Mario Yamasaki.  Entretanto, muitas outras lutas do card serão interessantes

Além de Gustavo Ximu, que encara Jordan Smith, o faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu Marco Loro conta com uma ajuda especial para enfrentar Albert Rios.
“Estou aqui em Nova York para ajudar na preparação do Loro para esta luta”, contou José Aldo ao GRACIEMAG.com.

Outro faixa-preta no card é Claudio Godoy, que encara Joel Wyatt, e Gabriel Miglioli, que terá John George pela frente.

Veja um vídeo promocional do evento:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRBd4bnY0oQ

Confira o card completo:

Washington Combat
Dia 15 de maio de 2010
Washington, Estados Unidos

Gary Goodridge x Pedro “The Rock”
Rizzo
Jordan Smith x Gustavo “Ximu”
Machado
Eric Bradley x Roberto “Corvo”
Barros
Albert Rios x Marco Galvao
Claudio Godoy x Joel Wyatt
Rick MaCauley x Paul Song
Manny Okorie x Matt Van Buren
Gabriel Miglioli x John George
Francisco Salgueiro x Peter Simone