Steve Mazzagatti

Steve Mazzagatti Interview

Hi Steve,

Thank you for taking the time to sit down with MMABAY and answer a few of our questions:



Mmabay – The first thing I’d like to clear up is the misconception that you are employed by the UFC, can you tell me what the actual situation is?

Steve - We work for the commission of whatever state we are working in N.V.,C.A., N.J. and so on

Mmabay – With the rules differing from organisation to organisation, how difficult is MMA to officiate ?

Steve - It very hard compared to say Boxing or Kickboxing. There's so much more going on and you need to make split sec decisions'

Mmabay – What is your relationship with the fighters like?

Steve - I don’t have one. I mean there cool and all. But it's not cool to be buddy buddy with a fighter and then ref his fight. What would the other fighter or fan's think. It looks bad. So I try and act professional when it comes to that.

Mmabay – How many warnings do you tend to give fighters before deducting a point, or does it depend on the severity of the incident?

Steve - It does depend on the incident. And severity. I talk to the fighters in the dressing room before the fight and tell them what I expect. I also let them know if they target the back of the head, I will take a point. This is your warning. Same with grabbing the fence. If it effects your position I will take a point. We also take the dominant position away from a fighter if he fouls. We let the fighter who got fouled pick to start back in the same position or start standing. If the fighter that is not in the dormant position fouls. We take a point without stopping the fight.

Mmabay – Have you ever got caught up in the excitement of a fight and really enjoyed watching it close up to the point you forget for a split second why you are in there?

Steve - What fight would that have been? No. I mean, I’ am not really watching the fight as a fan. I’ am looking for fouls and tap’s and problems that come up.

Mmabay – Of all the newcomers you have seen over this year, who do you see as having the best chance to make it to championship gold, a diamond in the rough so to speak?

Steve - That’s a tuff question. This sport is filled with so much good talent. Sorry

Mmabay – I understand you didn’t attend UFC 85, although I’m sure you watched it on T.V., what was your opinion on the Werdum/Vera stoppage?

Steve - Like you said I wasn’t there. But I can tell you one thing. It’s a lot easer to referee at home sitting in my lazy boy while drinking a beer.

Mmabay – You were involved in a much hyped and talked about after, fight in February, Brock Lesnar’s debut. For those who hear the comments you made, could you recap for us what happened during the course of that fight?

Steve - That is some old news. Much of it I answered in question 4# . When I go into the dressing room and talk to the fighters. Next time you watch the fight. And I mean the whole fight. You should see what I saw. I called it the way I saw it.

Mmabay – The interview wouldn’t be complete with asking you about your moustache, how much attention does it get from the fans and why do you sometimes decide to get rid of it?

Steve - It’s crazy how much attention it gets. But I was ready for a makeover. And it’s 108 here in Las Vegas. My lip was feeling the heat.

Mmabay – Finally, could you tell us what your life is like away from the octagon with your family and interests?

Steve - I am living a dream in and out of the ring. I’ am a firefighter here in Vegas. Between that my kids and the MMA. There’s never a dull moment

Mmabay - Thanks again for the time you have afforded us, would you like to say anything to anyone before we wrap it up?

Steve - Thanks to all the fan's of this sport.



Thanks again Steve.