Bring Back John McCarththy--Reconsider NSAC and Kizer

by Rob Maysey on Sep 22, 2009 5:10 AM EDT Comment 2 comments

Uniformly recognized as not only a standout referee--but as the best referee, I was surprised to read that John applied for a license in Nevada, and was denied, citing a short list maintained by NSAC.

John, by all accounts, is already on a short list. ABC was confident enough in John to request his assistance in redrafting the uniform rules for Mixed Martial Arts.

ABC was also confident enough in John that they issued him the only official training certification for referees and judges.

http://www.bjmuta.com/big-john-mccarthy

"McCarthy drafted a curriculum and testing system named COMMAND for MMA referees and judges, which is the only program accredited by the ABC."

He criticized the selection process for officials who don't understand the sport. So what? Is the criticism unwarranted? Even if unwarranted, do we really want to encourage a system based upon pure politics, where any sort of dissent is ousted and shut down?

Show that you are above politics, and that officials are chosen based on merit. If John is applying for a license, grant it. The sport is better for it, opinions and all.

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/mccarthys-return-to-nevada-nixed-19862

Nice article.

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I’m not sure I believe they are simply stuffing John’s attempts. Most commissions only need a stable of referees, and Kizer might feel that since he filled John’s spot… he doesn’t want to step on the toes of the newer referees.

With that said however, John is one of the best. No idea why you would deny a referee who is much better than any of the current stable of referees in Nevada.

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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Sep 22, 2009 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

The guy’s been on a hiatus for how long? and he’s still the most experienced MMA official out there. IMO the commission is biting off it’s nose to spite it’s face. They don’t pay him if he doesn’t work so what’s the big deal about having an extra reff? We know the UFC doesn’t want Big John back so they should simply not give him those gigs. Wait, maybe they don’t want to expose in public that the UFC does have influence over the NSAC, thus avoiding anti-trust suits, conflict of interest and influence peddling allegations. Didn’t Keith Keizer replace Lorenzo as the head of the NSAC?

by bubbafat on Sep 22, 2009 5:47 PM EDT reply actions