THE CANADIAN PRESS
Veteran referee (Big) John McCarthy, one of the most recognizable faces of mixed martial arts, is retiring to join the Toronto-based Fight Network as an on-air personality and "strategic adviser."
McCarthy is slated to call it quits Saturday night after officiating his 535th bout — the Roger Huerta-Clay Guida main event at "The Ultimate Fighter 6" Finale in Las Vegas.
"I don’t think that I’m exaggerating if I say Big John is the John Madden of The Fight Network," George Burger, president and CEO of The Fight Network, said on a conference call Friday. "He is going to help launch us to an even greater international reputation."
The six-foot-four, 240-pound McCarthy is known for his signature introduction to bouts. He asks each fighter "Are you ready?" and then chops his hand down and snarls "Let’s get it on."
He has refereed 100 championship fights.
McCarthy had already been doing a segment for the TV network called "The Last Call." He said Friday that he could not expand his broadcast work and referee.
"Athletic commissions look at it as a conflict of interest so I had to make a choice," he said.
"I think I have an insight that most people don’t in the sport," he added. "It’s a great opportunity for me."
The Fight Network job allows him to work in all areas of the sport, not just the UFC, and boxing, he said.
McCarthy was one of Royce Gracie’s training partners for UFC 1: The Beginning in November 1993. Promoters used Brazilian referees for the UFC opener but then Rorion Gracie, Royce’s older brother and UFC co-founder, asked McCarthy to referee UFC 2: No Way Out in March 1994.
"I was with the UFC from the beginning," McCarthy said. "I like to think that I helped the sport of mixed martial arts grow. I had a great ride and enjoyed every part of it — the good times, the bad times. I wouldn’t have traded any of it."
McCarthy is a former 20-year-plus member of the Los Angeles Police Department, serving as an instructor in the department’s defensive tactics section.
Married with three kids, McCarthy also has a gym — Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy — in Valencia, Calif.
"John has been such a great referee for years that it is unfortunate he is retiring," Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said in a statement. "However, I am sure he will continue to play an important role in the sport of mixed martial arts, and that can only be a good thing."
McCarthy cited Montreal’s Yves Lavigne as one of the fine referees still in the game.
"I think he does a great job. The best part about him is he’s a humble person who always wants to learn, knows if he makes a mistake, wants to correct it."
NOTES: Fedor Emelianenko will highlight a live event in Japan on Dec. 31, which will be broadcast in the U.S. exclusively on HDNet. Emelianenko, considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world make his M-1 Global debut in “HDNet Fights: Fedor Returns.” M-1 Global partnered with HDNet Fights, the mixed martial arts venture recently established by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
“This announcement reinforces our commitment to becoming the home for live MMA action,” said Cuban. “No one else but HDNet will have the return of Fedor LIVE from Japan.” …
According to The Fight Network, Canadian Bill Mahood was denied a chance to appeal his steroid suspension following a Strikeforce event in L.A. on Sept. 29. His appeal was scrapped from the agenda on Tuesday’s hearing in which UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk’s appeal was heard when his appeal registration forms were not received in time. The Prince George, B.C., native contends his forms were delayed arriving in California because of the mail system. Originally Mahood did not deny taking steroids but wished to appeal the fine amount, claiming it was overly punitive. His fine was $2,500, the same amount Sherk was issued, but Mahood only made $1,000 for his fight, substantially less than what Sherk made for his victory at UFC 73.
