Interview with Josh Rosenthal
So what do you do when you aren’t reffing?
I am or was an electrical contractor until the economy got bad. I guess I’m a contractor I teach jiu jitsu a little bit. I give private lessons and do the daddy thing. I have a daughter and she turns one in about a week.
I ref just about full time. It’ s been my game for the past year and a half.
How did you get started reffing?
I guess it was a wrong place right time situation (laughs). It started back in 1996. I was going to the some of the IFC shows. They weren’t happy with some of the refs and I offered because I thought I could do a better job. They said sure and that’s how it started.
You’ve trained jiu jitsu for a while haven’t you?
Yes, since 1992.
Do you prefer to ref in a cage or ring?
As a ref I prefer the cage. It makes it easier then having to bring guys in from the ropes and everything. I think the ring pushes the fighters to be more technical. The wrestler have to be better and the strikers have to be better in order to fight effectively in the ring.
Do you know when your next event will be?
No, I think the next event will be WEC in Chicago but I know I’m doing Strikeforce in April 11.
You work for the states athletic commission don’t you not the UFC or WEC.
Yes, I’m an independent contractor but I’m licensed through the states.
Do you remember your first UFC fight?
I did The Ultimate Fighter before a live event. But the first live event was at a Fight Night with Hazelett vs. Burkman. Hazelett finished with the armlock.
My first pay per view was the last UFC I did was UFC 94 where I did the Manny Gamburyan fight and Karo’s fight.
Karo’s in a lot of trouble.
I guess so. That’s what I heard.
I thought Kim won the fight.
It’s one of those fights. In my mind I can see it being two rounds to one round. I kind of thought Kim outworked him but I’m just a ref and not a judge.
You were cageside for the BJ Penn-GSP fight at UFC 94. What are your thoughts on that controversy?
I honestly didn’t see it go on. I saw Keith Kizer run into the cage but I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t hear about it until after the fight. I don’t think Georges is a cheater. I don’t think he would go out and do something to flagrantly disregard the rules. There is video out there so people can make their own assumptions on it.
It won’t go away.
BJ is pissed man. He’ll stay locked onto that fight until he feels it’s over.
When you get your assignments do you ever look over the card and hope there is one particular fight that you don’t have to work so you can watch it?
Oh yes definitely, everyone says I have the best seat in the house and it’s true. There are certain times when I think it’s a great place to be but it’s hard to appreciate the fight as a whole because I’m zoned in looking for things. It’s hard to sit back and watch it and think wow, this is a great fight. But you get those moments and something happens and you just think wow, that was awesome.
Like the Affliction show, honestly I’m happy to sit ringside and watch Fedor. That’s nice. I get to watch one of the guys who is one of the best on the planet fight. It’s great to be in there reffing but you can’t see it as a whole. You’ve got to watch it on a second by second basis.
I was talking with a friend about the Rich Clementi and Gray Maynard fight. That was a great fight. I didn’t ref the fight but to be able and sit back and observe it and really watch what was going on from stepping back a little bit it was a very technical fight. I get the card and think I hope I get to watch this one. But either way it’s another day at the office.
You did an event at the Playboy mansion. What is that like?
As far as a show it’s a regular show just like any other arena. It’s cool to hang out there. They treat everyone nice and they have a nice spread. All the sushi you can eat, that’s nice. Afterwards Herb and I snuck away to the room where they had video games. We played video games for a while. It’s cool but it’s another gig really.
The Playboy mansion is just another gig?
I’m a married man (laughs). It’s not what you think. I’d rather go to the Midsummer Night’s Dream Party they throw or a Halloween party. That would be more interesting. I’m definitely not knocking it.
What do you think about all the criticism Yves Lavgine has been receiving?
Yves is a good ref. We’re definitely under the gun right now. There have been mistakes made. I’m not saying just Yves but refs in general. The sports is coming up in the public eye and in my opinions and there are a lot of guys who shouldn’t be reffing yet. I’m not saying they won’t be ready at some point.
I do shows pretty much every weekend. I do three to five shows a month. I’ve got a lot of time to cut my teeth. Some of the guys in the sport don’t have the same experience and mistakes are being made. I trust Yves. He’s a great ref. I hadn’t seen the fight so I can’t really say. He saw something in his mind that said, Pete’s not done. Then he tried to give that guy every chance to have a good fight. Was it the right decision or wrong decision? I don’t know. He said it was a mistake so I don’t have a problem. It’s going to happen. We ride a really fine line. We are walking razor blades everyday. It’s moment by moment thing. The tempo of a fight can change in a second. You try to do the best you can and keep the fighters busy. I’ve made mistakes in the past and I’m the first to admit and it’s the only way you can get better.
Yves told me it’s a lonely job.
It is. Either they love you or they hate you. Sometime you have to save these guys from themselves or their ego. They don’t want to stop even when they are done. It’s tough. It’s not an easy spot to be in. To know when someone is out and given up it’s a tough position to be in. But I love my job I wouldn’t want to be in another position.
Have you ever had a fighter thank you for stopping a fight?
Oh yeah, I’ve had fighters and cornermen thank me. I had corner men come tell me that they were glad I stopped it because the fighter would’ve got mad if he had thrown the towel in.
I’ve had it all across the board. I had fighters want to fight me because I stopped their fight. I’ve had cornermen want to fight me because I stopped their fighters fight. I’ve been all over the board. From Thank you to I hate you. I’m always willing to talk to the fighters. Sometimes they want to talk if they are upset about a call. They deserve that. I owe it to them. We are in there together. I’m not above them. I’m here to help them. If a figther has a question about a stoppage I’ll always explain to them. They can agree or disagree but I’ll always be there for them.
When you do a fight on The Ultimate Fighter does the UFC fly you in? How does it work?
They fly me in for the fight that day. It’s in and out. I get my assignment. I do the fight and head home.
You reffed one of Junie’s fights on The Ultimate Fighter what are your thoughts on him?
He fought Roli Delgado. I think his ego control him in the fight. He was willing to eat Roli’s punches to prove a point and I don’t think it’s a good strategy. But I think the kid has a talent. If he sticks where he is at we’ll see big things from him.
You reffed the first Sonnen-Filho fight. What are your thoughts looking back at it?
I think it was a good fight. I think Chael was doing what he needed to do. I thought that fight from Filho’s guard wasn’t a smart move. I heard his corner tell him to get up. He was dominating with the hands but it went the way it did. I think Sonnen made a mistake and he got caught.
But the rematch I don’t know what Filho was doing. The whole not cutting weight thing is inexcusable if you are the champion. I think it was a mental ploy to mess with Chael.
What are your thoughts on Miguel Torres you reffed his fight with Tapia.
He’s got game. He’s a true mixed martial artist. A lot of people don’t really know his story. Carlson Gracie took him under his wing and had confidence in him. He took him to Brazil and had an open challenge to anyone in his weight class. Carlson had a lot of confidence and belief in him.
How do you think he’s do at 155?
Maybe, who knows? That’s a 20 pound bump for him. That’s gaining 20 pounds and then fight someone like Sean Sherk who cuts from 170 to 155. It’s a level change in power. At 155 I think he can fight some of the lighter guys. I’ve never rolled with him but if he got a black belt from Carlson he’s earned it. I’d like to see him work his way up to 145 then go to 155 . But I respect the fact that he wants to challenge himself. That’s the warrior way. If that’s the obstacle he’s running right at it.
Anything you’d like to say to the fans?
I appreciate all the support from everyone. I’m glad to be in the sport.
