High profile refs in mma - highly accomplished martial artists themselves

Discussion in 'UFC Discussion' started by bjpenngoat, Dec 21, 2012.

  1. bjpenngoat Silver Belt

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    I just read that piece about mario and how he and his brother helped organize the ufc in brazil in 98 and that he is a 4th degree black belt in jits. It had me thinking, what about these other guys, are they all badasses?

    Cecil was a karate champ in the 70's.

    Herb Dean had some pro fights, even fought Joe Riggs.

    what about josh Roenthal, big John, Yves lavigne, Mazz....what are their martial arts backgrounds and how accomplished were they before they started reffing.
     
  2. Mavant Blue Belt

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    Nothing surprising here. Most people gravitate towards fields related to their passion if at all possible. It's not surprising that many refs have a martial arts background.
     
  3. tdluxon Red Belt

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    I know Big John is a martial artist but not sure what exactly he's into... I think he might teach hand-to-hand combat at the police academy or something.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2012
  4. DesertStomper** Banned Banned

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    Bruce Buffer is also a black belt if I remember correctly.
     
  5. deesnuts27 Green Belt

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    Big John almost competed/considering competing in the early UFC's.
     
  6. Aberinkula Purple Belt

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    Yamasaki has a black belt in both bjj and judo.

    Pretty surprising, seeing as he's a ref who's pretty quick to stand fighters up.
     
  7. Yardener Orange Belt

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  8. squat Green Belt

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    I wouldn't call Herb Dean highly accomplished as a fighter.
     
  9. BlastoiseDad Al-hamdullilah

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    Big John is just fucking huge, so you better not mess with him
     
  10. MMun Black Belt

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    Apparently, he has a fourth degree black belt in BJJ. Just goes to show that not everybody is biased towards their own discipline.
     
  11. Spycho Black Belt

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  12. Blake900 Green Belt

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    The fact that he's a pro fighter makes him a highly accomplished martial artist. What've you done?
     
  13. Blayt7hh Titanium Belt

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    He has an MMA training gym too, up in Maryland
     
  14. Blayt7hh Titanium Belt

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    Yeah I saw Herb Dean fight in King of the Cage. I think he won, but he didn't look very good hahah. Him and Yamasaki are my favorite refs though
     
  15. Andzso Purple Belt

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    Cecil Peoples.
    all the way!
     
  16. Malas Sent via carrier pigeon

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    So basically, a lot more people are guilty of fighter bashing than they realize.
     
  17. Gavster Purple Belt

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    Steve Percival the Aussie ref has run one of the largest martial arts centre for years. He started teaching in 91 and holds a 4th Dan in Hapkido and a jujitsu black belt under the Will/Machida organisation. As we didn't have expert mma refs over here he trained under Big John.
    http://www.ultimatefightingarts.com/About-Us.html
     
  18. Hotlunch Orange Belt

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    herb dean: 2-3. hardly what i would call "highly accomplished"
     
  19. Snakesolidsnake Purple Belt

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    Big John trained under the Gracie's before UFC 1. He wanted to fight in it, but they wanted Royce to be the only BJJ fighter.
     
  20. bjpenngoat Silver Belt

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    yamasaki could probably destroy a few fighters lol.
     

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