A ‘Big’ name has joined the Bellator broadcast team to help replace recently departed Jimmy Smith.
Legendary referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy is switching course, joining Bellator MMA’s broadcast team starting with the upcoming Bellator 192. The promotion announced the news in a press release distributed on Tuesday. He’ll join former UFC title challenger and current Bellator fighter Chael Sonnen, who recently signed a contract extension “to remain a part of select Bellator broadcasts.” Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo also remain with the promotion, who recently released longtime color commentator Jimmy Smith.
As per Tuesday’s release, UFC President Scott Coker was quoted as saying that “with the addition of ‘Big’ John to our broadcast team, we have put together the premier group of MMA commentators ahead of our Jan. 20 debut on the Paramount Network. With John and Chael providing analysis, you’re getting two people who have spent more time in the cage than they have spent with a headset on, and that will translate to a positive viewing experience for Bellator fans.”
McCarthy has spent the better part of twenty years as one of the top referees in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Dating all the way back to UFC 2, he served as the third man in the cage in nearly every card between that and UFC 77. As the sport evolved, McCarthy grew along with it, helping develop the Unified Rules of MMA and train judges and referees. That latter, he does via C.O.M.M.A.N.D., a training and certification school for MMA referees and judges.
Based on statements from McCarthy in the press release, it appears he’ll be stepping away from his referee duties. “”I first want to say how grateful I am for the opportunity I have been given to work with the incredible team Bellator has assembled. It is always so hard to leave something you love, but I have always wanted to step away based on my terms rather than someone else’s. My goals are to work as hard as I can to meet the expectations everyone will have for me and to hopefully someday exceed them.”
Bellator 192: Lima vs. MacDonald, at which McCarthy will make his Bellator broadcast debut, takes place at The Forum in California on January 20. Rory MacDonald challenges Douglas Lima for welterweight gold in the main event. In the opening round of Bellator’s World Heavyweight Grand Prix 2018, Chael Sonnen meets Rampage Jackson.
