If you’re a fan of the UFC, then you know who “Big” John McCarthy is. But do you know the man behind the nickname? In this article, we’ll take a look at the life and times of one of the most well-known figures in mixed martial arts. Read on to learn more about the man who has been referred to as the “godfather” of MMA.
The Early Days
John McCarthy was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 12th, 1962. He played football and wrestled in high school before becoming a police officer after graduation. It was while working as an LAPD officer that he first got interested in mixed martial arts. He began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission fighting in 1992 and soon began refereeing MMA fights.
An Early Corner Stone Of The UFC
In 1994, McCarthy was chosen to be one of the judges for UFC 2, which featured the first ever tournament format. Though rules were limited, McCarthy’s initial role was to oversee the fight and end it when a competitor either submitted or was knocked out. However, he didn’t stop there and instead took charge of developing rules for the organization; this included adding referee stoppages when a fighter could no longer defend themselves intelligibly.
He would go on to judge or referee several more UFC events in the early days of the promotion. In 1997, he left his job as a police officer to pursue a career in MMA full-time. He has since worked as a commentator, referee, and judge for numerous MMA organizations, but he is best known for his UFC days.
After more than 500 events in 2007, McCarthy retired to become a commentator for The Fight Network. It didn’t last long. A year later, he was back in his customary location within the cage. He didn’t simply perform with the UFC but also worked with Strikeforce, Affliction, Bellator, King of the Cage, and numerous other fight leagues.
McCarthy is widely respected within the MMA community and is considered one of the pioneers of the sport.
The Nickname
The nickname “Big” is quite obvious; coming in at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and weighing 260 lbs (118 kg), McCarthy is a large man. But it’s not just his size that has earned him the nickname; it’s also his personality. He’s known for being outgoing and charismatic, two traits that have served him well in his career.
UFC President Dana White has referred to McCarthy as the “godfather” of MMA, and it’s easy to see why. He’s been a part of the UFC from the early days and has played a major role in the growth of the sport. Thanks to his work as a referee, commentator, and judge, McCarthy has helped to make MMA more mainstream and acceptable to the general public.
The Weighing In Podcast
In 2007, McCarthy had a short stint as a commentator before returning to the octagon the following year. In 2017, he teamed up with former world champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson to create the Weighing In podcast.
With a combined 40+ years of expertise between them, they offer a multi-disciplinary approach to subjects ranging from the history of the sport to the most up-to-date MMA news and recaps of recent fights.
Interviewing some of the fighting’s most popular stars, including Conor McGregor and Cris Cyborg. And in three years, they’ve gained 100,000 YouTube subscribers.
From the UFC to Bellator
McCarthy left the UFC in 2018 after 24 years with the organization. He didn’t retire from refereeing, however. He simply moved on to greener pastures, joining Bellator MMA as one of their fight commentators. With his extensive knowledge and experience, McCarthy is a valuable asset to any MMA organization.
While McCarthy is best known for his UFC days, he’s made it clear that he’s excited about this new chapter in his career. In an interview with MMA Junkie, he said, “I’m really looking forward to working with Bellator. I think they have a lot of great things going on, a lot of great fights. I’m just excited to be part of it.”
“Big” John McCarthy is still an important part of the MMA community, and his contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.
