Legendary referee McCarthy retiring

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LAS VEGAS — The best known referee in mixed martial arts will step down after Saturday's UFC card at the Palms Hotel.

"Big" John McCarthy, who has been a referee since UFC 2 in 1994, will work the main event of The Ultimate Fighter finale on Saturday between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida and then announce his retirement.

McCarthy, 45, will take a job as an MMA analyst with The Fight Network.

McCarthy, who began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Rorion Gracie in 1993, has become more popular with UFC fans than many of the fighters whom he officiates.

McCarthy, who operates an MMA gym in Valencia, Calif., has worked every UFC card since UFC 2 except for UFC 78 last month in Newark, N.J. According to his website, BigJohnMcCarthy.com, he's officiated more than 500 MMA bouts.

Let us know your thoughts on McCarthy and how you think his retirement will impact the sport.

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1. Posted by hachiroku Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:15 pm EDT
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FIRST!!! yay always wanted to do that. *sad face* for big john though. he IS UFC
2. Posted by Ryan M Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT
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he will be missed
3. Posted by D.B.!!! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT
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Big guy, but bigger heart, he will be missed.
4. Posted by Papa Smurf Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT
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Best ref in MMA. I don't think there's anyone else out there who would do a better job then Big John. If he happens to read this, You will be missed! You're one of the pioneers of bringing MMA its great safety record and thanks for opening people's eyes to MMA!
5. Posted by Aaron Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:17 pm EDT
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yeah itll be a sad day. what is the "fight network?" and why dont i get it?
6. Posted by Aaron Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:17 pm EDT
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oh yah, #5
7. Posted by Bigfoot Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:20 pm EDT
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I don't know if this is allowed, but they should put Big John in the UFC Hall of Fame. He's as much a part of building the UFC and the sport of MMA as the fighters. There's a reason they call him the best in the business.
8. Posted by codenamedavide Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT
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never seen him make a bad call or stoppage. a gracious ambassador for the sport. the best. wish he would stay. thanks big john!
9. Posted by khelbanzon Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT
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Let's get it on! Bring Big John to the UFC Hall of Fame!
10. Posted by Baylenthesky Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT
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Big John will be missed.
Who can forget his ref career?
11. Posted by Marty Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:14 pm EDT
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Big John will always be the big man of MMA.
12. Posted by Carmelo J. Austin,TX Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT
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Big John you have my vote for a spot in the HALL OF FAME!
13. Posted by Appaholic Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:25 pm EDT
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I agree with post # 7, John belongs in the Hall of Fame. He has been such an integral part of establishing this sport as a legitimate sport, one that is fair and not as barbaric as many people think. He will be missed.
14. Posted by carrington-unltd@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT
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Big John earned and demanded the RESPECT from the fighters. And allowed figths to go on long enough to PLEASE the FANS while SAVING any fighter FROM SERIOUS INJURY.
Embodied what a ref should be in any contact sport. 1st UFC HALL OF FAME REFEREE.
"LET's GET IT ON !".... became as much part of the fight as the firing shot in horse racing and track & field, ..... On your mark, get set, go!
15. Posted by martyaa Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:09 pm EDT
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Wow! Talk about an Icon in MMA, Big John may have never fought in the UFC but I know when I saw a fight in which he was the ref I would always say "Big John" befor the start. Guess now I'll have to say "Big Steve!" Going to be wierd to not see him reffing in the UFC, WEC etc. What's up with Mazzagatti's mustache?
16. Posted by D-Dub Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT
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Say it ain't so! You'll be missed 'Big Jon'
17. Posted by Brian Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT
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Big John is a class act. How many officials can you say that about. He will be missed. Todays ref's can learn alot from him on how to conduct yourself in the octagon and with the fighters. He's got my vote for the Hall Of Fame.
18. Posted by Seventh Sign Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT
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lol, im surprised he didnt retire a long time ago and start fighting. that guy was huge and could probably have put a beating on some of the old school guys. anyways, jokes aside, while it may not affect the current mma fanbase, the guys who have been watching since ufc 1 will miss him quite a bit.
19. Posted by Stephen Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:50 pm EDT
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Most popular ref in any sport since Mills Lane. Im going to miss seeing Big John in the Octagon
20. Posted by WilliamW Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:48 pm EDT
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Wow that is a shock. "Big" John has been such an influence on the sport. He was a big help in the evolution of the rules we have today in MMA. I wish him all the best and he will be missed. Eventhough not a fighter, he definetly deserves a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame. Much love to you "Big" John
21. Posted by timbo68 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT
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BJM saved this sport. Those of you lucky enough to have a tape of UFC 1 will notice how bad the referee was. Fighters seemed to tap forever before the referee did anything (or nothing at all...the other fighter would eventually just let up. The best example was the final bout between Gracie and Shamrock. Shamrock was tapping, the ref did nothing, Gracie eventually let go, ref still did nothing, Gracie reapplied his chock). UFC 2 had its share of problems (Remco Pardo (sp) had to tell BJM that the fighter was knocked out), but it was a much classier presentation because of Big John. If UFC 2 would have had the same ref as UFC 1, there wouldn't be a UFC (also, the fighters kept getting better, also...)
22. Posted by nathan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:57 pm EDT
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Are You Ready? Are You Ready Let's Get it on!! It's not a fight unless I here those words, saturday will be a sad day.
23. Posted by Bryan l Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT
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He is the UFC.......
24. Posted by RJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:59 pm EDT
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Best in the business by far. He should be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Every ref in the business should look at his great career and take notes.