McCarthy, who came to prominence in the early 1990's, is widely considered among the world's best MMA referee's and is certainly the sports most popular. He refereed nearly every major UFC event from UFC 2 to The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale in December of 2007 when he left to take a position with The Fight Network and do broadcast work for Affliction.
On the way out, McCarthy expressed his disdain toward the Nevada commission for its choice of cageside judges and referees. Many believe that criticism to be the true source of the commissions decision not to license the popular ref.
"I had a criticism toward people being put into place as far as officiating," McCarthy told Sherdog. "I have a problem when you have an official who is put into place to have an impact on the sport I love when they don't understand the sport, when they don't understand what the fighters are doing. They understand someone getting hit in the face. They don't understand the manipulations of the ground game and who is winning the fight. I probably should've shut my mouth because I've got a big mouth, and it's got me in a lot of trouble, but it's the truth. I want everyone to understand what is really happening in the sport so they can make educated decisions and judgments."
McCarthy was told that the commission did not, "anticipate adding any additional referees at this time," but that his application will be kept in the "pending file" in case a position opens up in the future.
This decision is curious considering the lack of quality MMA referees currently plying their craft in the sport. The position has been heavily criticized since McCarthy's departure and is badly in need of the direction McCarthy could provide.
Noted MMA insider and Yahoo! Sports columnist Kevin Iole reported that NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer was not happy with the criticism that McCarthy levied at him and the Nevada Commission and that McCarthy's reinstatement would be a "long road".
Until then, expect to see McCarthy at events in California, Ohio, Utah and Canada where he is still licensed to referee. Fans have also organized petitions to have the McCarthy referee at UFC 105 in the U.K. where the UFC is authorized to choose its referees in lieu of a proper commission.
Dana White was non-committal on that prospect, but won't close the door completely on the chance that McCarthy could eventually make his way inside of the octagon again.
"Having a license is a privilege, and John said a lot of s--t about the Nevada commission and other commissions," White said. "I don't know. I just don't know. I would never say never, but ..."
White took a few verbal bullets from McCarthy last year when McCarthy provided analysis for The Fight Network and has been reluctant to address his status with the organization in recent years.
But, despite being blacklisted by Kizer and White, no doubt to the detriment of the sport he loves, the Gracie trained former LA police officer intends to continue his career as a referee with other commissions and organizations.
"I just keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "I'm a very busy person. I have no problems with anybody in Nevada. I think the most important thing is you've got to be someone who's honest and has integrity. Don't be influenced by outside things, what fans are saying. You let the fighters do their thing. They're the ones that should be deciding the fight."
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