Mario Yamasaki
Encyclopedia
Mario Yamasaki is a mixed martial arts
referee licensed in many states, most recognizable from his duties with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
, as well as founder and chief instructor of the Yamasaki Academy in the USA. Yamasaki is a veteran of over 180 fights in the UFC, Strikeforce
, WEC
, EliteXC and Pride Fighting Championships.
Yamasaki and his younger brother Fernando, originally began training in judo as children under their father Shigueru an 8th degree red and white belt in the art and their uncle Shigueto Yamasaki.
In 1986, at the age of 22 Yamasaki began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
under 5th degree black belt Marcelo Behring (a black belt under his father Flavio Behring and Rickson Gracie
), who began teaching jiu-jitsu at the same gym in São Paulo where Yamasaki taught judo.
Yamasaki’s training under Behring would only last a short time as he would soon move to the United States, traveling frequently back to Brazil to continue his jiu-jitsu training under Behring, until the latter switched gyms. Yamasaki would continue his training jiu-jitsu under his brother Fernando, who had begun training under Otavio de Almeida and Roberto Lage.
On January 2002, Otavio de Almeida, president of the Federação de Jiu-Jitsu Brasileiro de São Paulo, Brasil (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation of São Paulo, Brazil) promoted Yamasaki to 4th degree black belt.
in São Paulo. After the event, Yamasaki spoke with UFC referee 'Big' John McCarthy if there were any referee positions available with the company, and was told that the company was looking for someone, marking the beginning of Yamasaki's career as an MMA referee.
is also a judoka who represented Brazil at the 1992 Summer Olympics
.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
referee licensed in many states, most recognizable from his duties with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
, as well as founder and chief instructor of the Yamasaki Academy in the USA. Yamasaki is a veteran of over 180 fights in the UFC, Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
, WEC
World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
, EliteXC and Pride Fighting Championships.
Biography
Yamasaki was born in São Paulo, Brazil, the oldest of two sons born to Shigueru Yamasaki. Yamasaki’s family has been teaching martial arts in Brazil for two generations. His father is half-Japanese.Yamasaki and his younger brother Fernando, originally began training in judo as children under their father Shigueru an 8th degree red and white belt in the art and their uncle Shigueto Yamasaki.
In 1986, at the age of 22 Yamasaki began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
under 5th degree black belt Marcelo Behring (a black belt under his father Flavio Behring and Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
), who began teaching jiu-jitsu at the same gym in São Paulo where Yamasaki taught judo.
Yamasaki’s training under Behring would only last a short time as he would soon move to the United States, traveling frequently back to Brazil to continue his jiu-jitsu training under Behring, until the latter switched gyms. Yamasaki would continue his training jiu-jitsu under his brother Fernando, who had begun training under Otavio de Almeida and Roberto Lage.
On January 2002, Otavio de Almeida, president of the Federação de Jiu-Jitsu Brasileiro de São Paulo, Brasil (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation of São Paulo, Brazil) promoted Yamasaki to 4th degree black belt.
UFC career
Yamasaki first became affiliated with the UFC (then owned by Semaphore Entertainment Group), when both he and his brother helped the promotion organize their first event in Brazil, UFC Brazil: Ultimate BrazilUFC Brazil
UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in São Paulo, Brazil on October 16th, 1998...
in São Paulo. After the event, Yamasaki spoke with UFC referee 'Big' John McCarthy if there were any referee positions available with the company, and was told that the company was looking for someone, marking the beginning of Yamasaki's career as an MMA referee.
Personal
Yamasaki lives in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania with his wife and children, where he co-owns and operates a chain of Brazilian jiu-jitsu schools. Yamasaki comes from a martial arts family. Both his father Shigueru Yamasaki and uncle Shigueto Yamasaki are high ranking judoka in Brazil. His brother Fernando Yamasaki holds black belt ranks in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo. His cousin Shigueto Yamasaki, Jr.Shigueto Yamasaki
Shigueto Yamasaki Júnior is a retired male judoka from Brazil.Yamasaki claimed the gold medal in the Men's Bantamweight division at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba. In the final he defeated Canada's Ewan Beaton. He represented his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics.He is the...
is also a judoka who represented Brazil at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
.
External links
- Yamasaki Academy
- List of bouts officiated by Mario Yamasaki at Tapology.com