Veteran referee John McCarthy explains dispute with Herb Dean that opened eyes about flawed MMA rule system
Referee Big John McCarthy highlighted how every referee interprets MMA rules differently after narrating his dispute with Herb Dean
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John McCarthy and Herb Dean dispute over MMA rules ( Image via : ESPN/MMA Junkie)
Apart from bad judging inside UFC, bad calls from referees also present a huge issue to the fighters. Whether it be early stoppages or uncalled-for point deductions, referees tend to confuse a lot of fighters with their decisions. Veteran MMA referees Big John McCarthy explained why exactly the callouts get confusing. He talked about his dispute with referee Herb Dean which helped him see the flaws with the MMA rule set.
John McCarthy is a veteran MMA referee who is revered in the sport. McCarthy has been the third person inside the octagon for many iconic UFC events and knows his way around the ruleset. Before any fight, Big John extensively goes through the list of rules inside the cage. He specifies what moves are legal and what should be completely avoided, so less chances of a disqualification take place. While going through the rules, John was once questioned about using the 12 to six or straight elbow to the opponent in a guard position.
The 12 to 6 elbow strikes are considered illegal inside the UFC and fighters often avoid using that. However, when in a guard the fighter is on his back and can use the move. McCarthy explained the same but fellow referee Herb Dean advised against using the move while in guard as he believed it was illegal. When John Confronted his fellow referee about this, he was hit with a different analogy.
According to Herb the 12 to 6 or straight elbows were illegal from the back as then the clock would be on the ceiling for the fighter on his back. Which meant the move was illegal regardless of the fighter’s position. This analogy irritated John and he called out Herb for misunderstanding the rule. “Herb when in the f**k have you seen a clock on the ceiling,” said Big John. To which Herb replied he hasn’t but the rule made sense. The simple dispute between veteran referees goes to show the confusion regarding the rules.
Big John McCarthy gives his opinion on the Tyson Fury and Jon Jones feud
What started as a hypothetical situation has gained a ton of limelight. Tyson Fury’s hypothetical fight with Jon Jones for the title of the ‘baddest’ man on the planet has gained quite the fame. Many professional boxers and MMA fighters have weighed their opinions on the winner of the fight. Veteran referee Big John McCarthy has also joined the troupe and given a unique view on the situation.
Almost everyone in the fighting fraternity believes, Jon Jones easily beats Tyson Fury in a street fight. However, they also seem to agree that The Gypsy King outclassed Jon Jones in a boxing match. While talking about the recent feud between John McCarthy also explained why Jones would win.
” When there’s no rules, there’s all kinds of things I can run your head into, there’s all kinds of things that I can pick you up and drop you on, there’s all kinds of things that influence what you can take. That’s really what the ‘baddest man on the planet’ is. It’s not the guy who can, with two tools, stand in the ring and out-strike someone,” said McCarthy.
UFC President Dana White, despite his hate for gimmick fights, is trying his hard to make this fight. With Tyson clearly stating he won’t get inside the Octagon and his pursuit of his next opponent, a bout with Jones is highly unlikely.
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Viraj Kelshikar
(227 Articles Published)