The date of July 11, 2009 is a landmark moment for Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as the number one MMA promotion is set to host its 100th event. UFC 100, set for Las Vegas, NV, boasts a card anchored by a dual main event featuring UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre facing Thiago Alves, and UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar defending against UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir to solidify the top of the rankings in the UFC Heavyweight division.
Just recently, FightLaunch reported that the ring officials have been set for both main events. MMA officiating has been a hot button in the recent past with disputed stoppages and alleged illegal behavior. Time will tell whether UFC 100 can be devoid of controversy regarding officiating.
For Brock Lesnar, he can breathe a sigh of relief as Herb Dean has been set as the in-ring official for his fight against Mir. Lesnar’s lawyers have previously made requests to the NSAC to have referee Steve Mazzagatti removed from consideration regarding his UFC 91 bout with Randy Couture. Dean, a former fighter himself, is universally regarded as one of the best referees hired by the athletic commission.
Speaking of Steve Mazzagatti, he has been assigned the taks of officiating the St. Pierre - Alves welterweight title bout. Mazzagatti has recently been the subject of criticism over his handling of Lesnar’s UFC 81 bout against Frank Mir. UFC President Dana White has made statements about Mazzagatti making it clear that he has no control over who officiates UFC fights, with the Nevada State Athletic Commission overseeing that aspect of bouts. If it was up to Dana, “Mazzagatti would never ref in the UFC again.” Time will tell whether this bout will conclude without the same debates.
Full Main UFC 100 Card Heavyweight Championship Bout - Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir Welterweight Championship Bout – Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves Middleweight – Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping Welterweight – Jon Fitch vs. Paolo Thiago Middleweight – Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
Preliminary Bouts Light Heavyweight – Mark Coleman vs. Stephen Bonnar Lightweight – Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller Light Heavyweight – Jon Jones vs. Jake O’Brien Middleweight – C.B. Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor Lightweight - Matt Grive vs. Shannon Gugerty
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