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  • Mike Beltran is one of MMA's most recognizable referees thanks to his two-and-a-half foot long mustache and beard.
  • In an Instagram post on Friday, the 45-year-old jokily showcased how his famous facial hair is so long, he can turn it into a makeshift face mask. 
  • "I was asked by several people if "The Stache" could be transformed to a mask," Beltran said. "Enjoy the laugh and stay safe out there."
  • In 2017, Beltran said on Twitter that he'd been growing his facial hair for a decade.
  • Beltran gave no indication that he actually plans to use his facial hair to protect himself, and it would likely not provide any actual protection.
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Face masks are in short supply amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

That's no problem for MMA referee Mike Beltran however, who jokily suggested an ingenious way to solve the problem with his two-and-a-half foot long mustache.

"I was asked by several people if "The Stache" could be transformed to a mask," Beltran said in a post on Instagram.

"I was motivated by several bearded dudes, however none of them had a moustache. Enjoy the laugh and stay safe out there. Nothing wrong with a sense of humor and a laugh at my expense. Well, what do you guys think? God bless."

Beltran gave no indication that he actually plans to use his facial hair to protect himself, and it would likely not provide any actual protection.

Hello everyone, well here it is. I was asked by several people if “The Stache” could be transformed to a mask. I was motivated by several bearded dudes, however none of them had a moustache. Enjoy the laugh and stay safe out there. Nothing wrong with a sense of humor and a laugh at my expense. Well, what do you guys think? God bless 🙏🏽. #mikebeltran #refereemikebeltran #powerofthestache #thestache #handleit #handleyourbusiness #mma #wrestling #bjj

A post shared by mike_beltran (@referee_mike_beltran) on Apr 16, 2020 at 8:13am PDTApr 16, 2020 at 8:13am PDT

Beltran is one the sport's most recognizable referees, and has officiated a number of high profile match-ups, including Nate Diaz versus Josh Thomson in the UFC in 2013. 

The 45-year-old said on Twitter in 2017 that he'd been growing his facial hair for a decade.

"I've always hated shaving," he told The Downey Patriot the same year. "It's just me; it's just who I am."

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