Josh Burkman: Criticism of Steve Mazzagatti ‘Harsh,’ But He Was Out of Position

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Josh Burkman, on “Beatdown,” discussing Dana White’s criticism of referee Steve Mazzagatti for not stopping Burkman’s fight against Jon Fitch:

“I think Dana White’s justified. I didn’t really realize it until I just watched the video again, and Mazzagatti’s very out of place. He’s standing straight up, and that choke was pretty deep. I think Mazzagatti’s getting a little bit of harsh criticism because he was out of place, but at the same time I understand why he’s getting it because what if there was a feud there with me and Fitch? What if I really did want to hurt him or vice versa? A referee should definitely be in better places for those things, but the criticism from what I’m hearing is a little harsh. I remember Fitch was fighting, fighting and he went out pretty quick and I let go of the choke. I believe it’s a little bit harsh, but again, Mazzagatti should have been in better position considering a fighter was in that choke.”

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