Ariel Helwani of MMAFanhouse took some time last weekend to speak with “Big” John McCarthy about being in a video game, not officiating at the last UFC card in California, and the issues with judging in the sport.
Payout Perspective:
The sport needs its best official now more than ever. The possibility for someone to be seriously injured is there – as it is in all sports – when the rules and regulations designed to protect the participants are not upheld to a high standard. MMA cannot afford any possible hiccups when it’s on the precipice of unilateral sanctioning over the next few years.
Not only is McCarthy the best official in the game, but he’s also the best officials instructor. His training seminar, C.O.M.M.A.N.D., requires candidates to be familiar with 85+ different maneuvers (wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo, striking, illegal, or otherwise) and pass with a grade of 90% or higher to achieve certification.
(Rogers Sportsnet’s Joe Ferraro actually took the course over the summer – and passed, the good man! – but describes the experience, here.)
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