Sherdog’s Top 10: Best MMA Referees

Top 10: Best MMA Referees

8. Minoru Toyonaga

He may not have had a terrific fighting career back in the early days of Pancrase and Pride, but Toyonaga blossomed into one of the 10 best referees in all of MMA. The Japanese official began reffing Pride matches in 2006 and never looked back.

Toyonaga is a staple at Pancrase events mostly. If and when Rizin or another promotion grows roots in the Land of the Rising Sun and becomes a dominant force in the sport, one can rest assured that Toyonaga will be suited up, ensuring the fighters are safe and playing by the rules.

Toyonaga was the third man inside the ring when Quinton Jackson scored what Sherdog.com considers the most brutal knockout in MMA history: a vicious slam on Ricardo Arona which freed “Rampage” from a triangle-armbar at Pride “Critical Countdown 2004.”

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