“>
On a recent podcast, John McCarthy revealed his perspective of referring the Conor McGregor versus Jose Aldo fight before and leading up to the fight.
Sean Wheelock: What was the scene like in the Aldo dressing room and what was the scene like in the McGregor dressing room when you did your respective fighter meetings? Did you get that feeling that it was Conor McGregor’s night?
Big John: You know what one thing I felt when I went to Jose’s dressing room, he was getting his hand wrap by his trainer, Andre Pederneras. I had Andre stop because I also had the executive director (of the NSAC), Bob Bennett and the chair of the Nevada State Athletic Commission because they wanted to listen to fighter instructions. They wanted to make sure they knew everything that was said so if something happens along the way they knew exactly what was told to the fighter.
Jose was relaxed. He was sitting down, he was listening. Nothing real special in his room, but when you went to Conor’s, when I went to Conor’s, Conor was actually working with and helping Gunnar Nelson get ready for his fight. He was warming him up. And when I started talking to him, Conor stood there and looked at me and answered everything that we talked about ‘Yes, Sir’, just absolutely, 100% confident. And if you are going to look and say who wanted to be there, it actually seemed like Conor was happy to be there, where as with Jose it just seemed like it’s another.
About Big John McCarthy
• Refereed thousands of bouts worldwide, including hundreds of Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC).
• Refereed for a diverse number of organizations globally including K-1 (Japan), Strikeforce, Affliction, Bellator, King of the Cage and a multitude of others.
• Over the past 20 years, has been a licensed Referee in 21 States in addition to numerous Canadian Provinces and Countries throughout the world.
• Key figure in the writing of the Unified Rules for the sport of MMA, which is recognized by the ABC and Athletic Commissions across North America
• Certified MMA Referee & Judging Instructor for the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC)
source: bjmuta.com
