Big John McCarthy Leaves the Fight Network
by Adam Wagner on Oct 7, 2008 8:52 PM EDT
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Big John McCarthy has said so long to the Fight Network … and it doesn’t sound like it was on the best of terms.
His farewell post is a heartfelt goodbye to the coworkers he’ll miss (including original President/CEO Mike Garrow, color commentator Mauro Ranallo and radio host/producer John Pollock), as well as a big "F" you to "all the higher ups that have taken over the Fight Network over the last year" (okay, so he doesn’t say "F" you, but rather "shame on you" — he is, after all, a family man).
Big John’s departure is just the latest name to leave the network — he joins Loretta Hunt, TFN broadcaster JT McCarthy (no relation), and others — following months of shakeup at the company, which involved new ownership and new management.
His departure will no doubt fuel emerging rumors that the Fight Network could go off the air … and soon. Whatever the case, you might want to read McCarthy’s post while it’s still made available.
And for all you diehard Big John fans out there, this could be the break you’ve been waiting for. He hints at a possible return to refereeing — even at a return to the UFC:
"A few people have said that I have attacked the UFC. That is simply not true. I have never said anything bad about the UFC. I spent 14 years of my life trying to build up the UFC and make people understand how incredible the fighters of MMA were. I considered myself very lucky in the fact that I was able to be around the UFC for as long as I was, and you never know maybe I will go back to refereeing and someday work another UFC."
Let’s hope he hasn’t burned any bridges with Dana White (even though it is the athletic commissions that choose refs, not the promotions).
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When I think of the UFC, one of the first things I think of is “BIG JOHN”.
by iagoof22 on Oct 7, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions
MMA is is dire need of having Big John back in the cage. Maybe he could give some kind of seminars on how to ref to the others.
by RedDog on Oct 7, 2008 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
i read a lot more aboutt his situation then is being described here and the most interesting part of the Big John article was how much he bashed Mauro Renallo. He actually called him a scumbag and said he is one of the worst people in the sport and a terrible person in general. Pretty interesting stuff!
I would love to see him back in the octagon refereeing the Brock vs. randy fight!
by john on Oct 8, 2008 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought they everyone over at the Fight Network hated Mauro because he sexually harasses the women and calls everyone a retard who he thinks is not as smart as him????
That is the impression I got from posts at “The Underground”. Bloodyelbow .com has it. Go check it out. They are ALL bashing Mauro and stating the above things I mentioned
by fightfan on Oct 8, 2008 3:41 AM EDT up reply actions
fightfan, I read the same stuff about Muaro. I hear he is a major scumbag!
by john on Oct 8, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
he should enter the octogan and take out joe rogan!!!!
by bradpittfightclub on Oct 7, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions
Sounds like he got fired because of his poor commentary skills, he should just go back to reffing or write a book or something.
by DirtyML on Oct 7, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions
Big John is badass! i hope he returns to the UFC. His knowledge in MMA is priceless.
by Willdogg on Oct 7, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions
I think Big John should be the mandatory ref for all main events.
by naturalshadow on Oct 8, 2008 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions
what part of 14 years of building the ufc…forget ufc…the sport did u not get? people like him are the ones you should be thanking for helping bring the sport to your tv every month!
by blah. anything can/and will happen in MMA on Oct 7, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions
He should start a reffing school. Then he should implore Jorge Ortiz to enroll.
by NameNotRequired on Oct 7, 2008 9:05 PM EDT reply actions
miragliotta vs mccarthy LADDER MATCH! anyways, yeah he couldnt comment for shit. but he can ref better then anybody.
by medecine balls on Oct 7, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions
Big John is a money grubbin’ whore. When he went to work for Affliction, he didn’t tell anyone at first and praised that company all the while bashing Dana and the UFC… then it comes out he’s a paid employee of Affliction. This guy would sell his children for the right price.
And Now he’s been out of the spot light and wants to start reffing again? Too bad. If he does, I hope the UFC tells all the athletic commissions to never use him on one of their shows. After the BS he made up, and the shit he tried to pull with the rule changes… he deserves to fade away.
by Jose Bastillo on Oct 7, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions
I ink that the rule change crap was the final straw for me. I agree that Big John is a money as well as an attention whore. He is ceertainly the best at reffing but he needs to think twice before burning bridges ( which he keeps doing).
by Djs3467 on Oct 7, 2008 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
What rule changes are you guys talking about? What did he say bad about the UFC? I must have missed it.
by RedDog on Oct 7, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
From what I understand, he was part of the commission that tried to instill rules for all of MMA, including 142 (slight exageration) weight classes that Dana refused to do. As far as badmouthing the UFC, I didn’t hear it. The only thing I know about was how he was calling the Affliction card “by far the best card ever”. That wasn’t bad mouthing… just his opinion. I definitely disagree being that almost every single match was a lopsided one, and I don’t believe one underdog won that night. To me, that’s not the kind of competitive card I’m looking for.
by UFCAddict on Oct 7, 2008 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember most people agreeing with the rule changes. Tney were going to actually take a way a few rules, such as illegal use of downward elbows and knees to downed opponents.
by naturalshadow on Oct 8, 2008 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions
the rule changes were good.. I hate when Dan Henderson does that thing like he always does to not let the guy breath.. stop talking about money pls, why do you think they’re even working at all? because you make money from it and he has a family to take care of..
by RoB on Oct 8, 2008 3:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I won’t respect Big John until he does it all for free. He should be living in a shanty little house and just give his time to this great great sport…
Good comment RoB. Everyone is trying to make as much money as possible. I don’t understand people that are critical of that. Usually they’re probably too chicken to make something of themselves and hate seeing others try to make something of themselves. I’d love to see him back in the ring.
by dave on Oct 8, 2008 4:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks UFC Addict and Naturalshadow for the fill-in!
by RedDog on Oct 9, 2008 4:36 AM EDT up reply actions
This, is fabulous news. Please bring him back to the UFC.
by JB on Oct 7, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions
Sometimes the grass looks greener… till it stops raining.
by MMACrossfire on Oct 7, 2008 11:52 PM EDT reply actions
I would love to see him back in the ufc. I think it is stupid that people even argue over it. He was there in the beginning. If he has a chance to make something of himself with a new company.. he should be able to try. He didnt do anything to the UFC except help build it. Give the guy a break. I really hope to see him in there again.
Rock on Big John!!
by enzo-enormous on Oct 8, 2008 12:50 PM EDT reply actions
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