John McCarthy, famously known as “Big John” and regarded as the Godfather of MMA refereeing, has been officiating fights since as early as UFC 2. Beyond his distinctive physical presence and signature catchphrase “Let’s get it on!”, McCarthy is highly respected for his deep knowledge of MMA regulations. He authored the original UFC rulebook and played a key role in developing the Unified MMA rules back in 2000, which remain in use today.
Although widely recognized for his authoritative presence in the cage, McCarthy is also frequently sought for his expertise on contentious refereeing decisions. Recently, he weighed in on the controversial officiating during the UFC Fight Night bout between Tom Nolan and Renato Moicano. In that fight, referee Dan Miragliotta’s decision to stand the fighters up while Moicano had back control was puzzling to many, as this position is generally viewed as advantageous and typically not one that warrants a stand-up.
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani podcast, McCarthy explained why he felt the stand-up call was unwarranted and offered insight into why Miragliotta might have made that choice. His detailed analysis of rule interpretation prompted Helwani to ask why McCarthy no longer referees UFC events.
McCarthy revealed that he has not worked for the UFC since 2017 because he began officiating for Bellator, which upset UFC President Dana White. “Dana White is absolutely pissed about that and said, ‘I don’t want him,’ and he doesn’t need me,” McCarthy remarked. When asked if this decision was dictated by the Athletic Commission, McCarthy dismissed the idea, noting that the UFC can simply refuse to use an official if they choose.
This disclosure suggests the UFC holds considerable influence over which referees are assigned to their events—an aspect that may surprise fans given recent controversial calls. When pressed on how officials are selected, McCarthy confirmed that the UFC does indeed have significant input: “They put in names for people they feel comfortable with, which they should be able to do.” He emphasized that since the outcome of fights relies heavily on referees’ decisions, promoters have a vested interest in choosing officials they trust.
Though McCarthy remains unbothered by his absence from the UFC due to his Bellator commitments, the question remains why one of the sport’s most experienced referees and original rule makers isn’t involved with the biggest MMA promotion. Despite ongoing debates about refereeing standards, the UFC and its officials continue to clarify and reflect on rule enforcement. Regardless of his current officiating status, McCarthy’s foundational contributions to the sport’s regulations remain integral and influential.
Fan Take: This news sheds light on the significant sway the UFC has over its officiating crew, which is crucial for fans seeking transparency and fairness. Understanding why a pioneer like Big John McCarthy isn’t part of UFC refereeing anymore may spark important conversations about referee independence and the integrity of the sport going forward.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
