Big John McCarthy Retires

Dakstang · 12-11-2007, 07:03 PM

This comes from ufc.com

There’s only one Big John McCarthy

It was the perfect going away gift for a referee Related News – Saturday’s lightweight war between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida. But like all great ‘third men’, John McCarthy – who retired as an active referee following last weekend’s main event - was noticeable by being barely noticeable, making all the right moves and all the right calls, a fitting end to a 13 year journey that saw McCarthy become as much a part of the UFC as the great fighters who have graced its Octagon.

And as I told him Saturday, there will always be just one Big John McCarthy.

A part of the UFC since its second show in 1994, McCarthy, with his trademark ‘Let’s get it on”, was the sole arbiter in the early days of a sport with little in the way of rules or regulation. Yet by UFC 3, McCarthy was given more responsibility in terms of being able to stop fights and protect the fighters, and as the years went on, he was known as not only a stern taskmaster when it came to enforcing the ever increasing list of rules which governed competition, but as a compassionate one who put fighter safety paramount over everything else.

Eventually, McCarthy became more than just a referee, as he was deeply involved with the training of future officials and as an ambassador of the sport to regulators, the media, and the fans.

But when it came down to it for McCarthy, through 535 bouts, it was all about the fights, and for the fighters, having John McCarthy referee your match was a sign that you made it to the big time. As Guida said after his gallant loss to Huerta, “He’s somebody this sport won’t soon forget. It was an honor to have that guy shake my hand and say ‘Let’s get it on’ one last time. You can’t put a price on something like that. It was awesome.”

John McCarthy stayed the course. He survived the sport’s ‘dark ages’ and was able to witness the explosion of the sport in the mainstream. It was something he knew would happen eventually, as he said in a 2005 UFC.com interview.

“I believe the UFC is only going to get bigger and better,” said McCarthy. “The sport of MMA is growing at a phenomenal rate right now and the popularity is only going to grow. Boxing is great, but it
is the sport of our fathers, while mixed martial arts is the sport of the new generation. Kids of today like the extreme sports; anything that goes faster, flies higher, hits harder or has more risks is what ignites the interest of today’s young man or woman. The sport of Mixed Martial Arts delivers those types of things in the fighting arena. It is not just about who punches the hardest, but who has the most overall fighting skill. Fighting is not just about punches. That is only one aspect of fighting and that is not enough. Real fighting encompasses all ranges of fighting. The ability to punch, kick, elbow, throw, take down, control and submit your opponent is what makes MMA so exciting. As a referee in the sport I am lucky to be a part of this evolution. I have been blessed by all of the experiences I have been through because of this sport. I have been there from the beginning; I have taken part in the changes and growth of the sport, being there in the beginning with the good times and then into the bad times and now back. I cannot say that I would not have changed a thing, because that is not true. I would have changed the bad times if I could and trust me I tried. But in the end it has all been an incredible experience and adventure that I will remember forever.”

Same here. Good luck Big John, and thanks for the memories.
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I didn't really see that coming. I always liked Big John the best out of the UFC refs.

barfly467 · 12-11-2007, 08:06 PM

How much do you think he makes per fight?

Dakstang · 12-11-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barfly467
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How much do you think he makes per fight?

Apparently not as much as the Fight Network is going to pay him to be a commentator which is what he is going to do now.

CrasH - X · 12-12-2007, 11:55 PM

There goes my main reason to watch UFC hah ..

barfly467 · 12-13-2007, 03:28 PM

He will be missed though.

The Phantom · 12-14-2007, 11:43 AM

Big Shame, you always knew it was a big match up when John was in charge. Steve Mazzagatti is going to be my main man now.

Zar · 12-15-2007, 12:34 PM

I think Yamasaki is due for a push.

And while people rag on him for some calls, I have always thought Herb Dean makes the right call.

Dakstang · 12-15-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zar333
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I have always thought Herb Dean makes the right call.

I am a little weary of Herb Dean. I think he has called some fights a little early in the past.

I hope they go with Steve Mazzagatti as the ref for the big matches.

Big John McCarthy Retires

This is a discussion on Big John McCarthy Retires within the MMA - Mixed Martial Arts forums, part of the Sports Forums category; This comes from ufc.com There’s only one Big John McCarthy It was the perfect going away gift for a referee ...