The abysmal attempt at skirting safety precautions was stopped, and cooler heads prevailed, with more time taken to get the job right. That eventually gave us the aforementioned U.S. and International (Fight Island) UFC cards, events that served as a gold standard for the rest of the sporting world.

In short, the system of checks and balances worked.

Of course, that early criticism of the UFC was harsh, and UFC President Dana White is essentially an elephant. He doesn’t forget, and made that very clear with the release of a video taking aim at certain media members earlier this week, whose coverage of the promotion’s early attempts to return to action was less than flattering.

A large chunk of White’s of the video was taken out of context, however, and the failed Tachi Palace attempt, that left the promotion ripe for criticism, was all but completely ignored. Instead journalists were lambasted for daring to be critical of a promotion doing what none to that point had been able to. And doing so in a fashion that was, at the time, seemingly reckless. Not to mention that early on, the UFC was less than transparent with media regarding safety protocols.

Among those targeted in Dana White’s self-congratulatory piece earlier this week was former ref and current Bellator analyst “Big” John McCarthy — one of the most reputable names in the sport, and a man who has helped shape MMA itself through his work developing the Unified Rules. And McCarthy, for one, who was ref all the way back at UFC 2, and finally left the cage for the Bellator broadcast booth in 2018, was none too happy at White’s attempt to take a victory lap.

Speaking on his Weighing In podcast with Josh Thompson, McCarthy tore a strip off White. “Here’s a guy that says, ‘I don’t give a f*ck about the media,” began McCarthy. “First off, I don’t even look at us as media, but that’s OK. But, ‘I don’t give a f*ck about the media,’ but then he always complains about clickbait. ‘These media guys and that clickbait bullsh*t they do.’ What the f*ck did you and your little team do, man? You little clickbait b*tch. I just cracked up. I go, ‘You are so pathetic.’”

McCarthy continued, mocking the UFC President by saying “First off, you need to have your own little pat on the back, ‘OK, let me pat you on the back,’ because you took everything out of context and made it to where you were the hero. Congratulations, Hero Dana. Oh, let me bow down to you.” White’s actions were “Unbelievable,” he continued. “My god. When are you going to figure out, ‘You know what? Just don’t worry about it.’ Do your thing you did. You did great. The UFC had a fantastic year. Let’s be honest about everything that occurred, and let’s be honest about your video because your video is clickbait, and it’s bullsh*t, and it’s out of context. So it’s just ridiculous.”

McCarthy and co-host Thompson specifically noted the failure of the Tachi Palace effort, and the intervention by California’s governor. “This really wasn’t the right time,” Thompson noted. “We wanted Bellator to keep going too, but at the time, we understood why [it couldn’t]. Because nobody knew what was going on yet, just nationwide. But the context is key. The time frame is key. Once he was able to put a show on, we were cheerleaders for him.”

“He was going to self-regulate the show,” McCarthy added on the Tachi Palace effort, calling the show illegal, and noting that it could have cost officials involved their jobs. “That was a huge mistake, and it was a mistake for every official [involved].”

McCarthy also took issue with White’s oft-repeated statement that he kept going on to keep fighters and staff employed. “It wasn’t because he was so into ‘oh I want to keep my people employed.’ He needed to put on those shows so he could get the money from ESPN, because he had a 42-fight contract that he had to meet, for him to get his $750 million dollars,” the former official stated.

The post Big John Slams Dana White for Video Attacking Early COVID-19 Media Coverage appeared first on Cageside Press.

Round and round they go, where they stop, no one knows. That’s pretty much the feel of the MMA broadcasting world right now. Bellator recently parted ways with Jimmy Smith, who was then picked up by the UFC. In Smith’s place, the promotion hired on ref Big John McCarthy, the most legendary ref in the game. Now, they’ve also picked up Jay Glazer — who has anchored the desk at Fox Sports for UFC events.

The company announced the news in a press release Tuesday.

“I’m excited to welcome Jay Glazer to the Bellator family,” Bellator President Scott Coker was quoted as saying in Tuesday’s announcement. “Jay’s knowledge and experience in sports television speaks for itself and he will be a great addition to our incredible broadcast team. As Bellator moves to Paramount Network, I look forward to having him involved with some of the biggest fights of the year.”

Glazer, meanwhile, added that “I have always had a tremendous passion for MMA, where the relationships you develop are unlike any other sport.” The release continued with him saying that “I am very fortunate to be able to continue these relationships with an incredible organization like Bellator. I’ve been friends with Scott for many years, and am ecstatic that he brought me into the Bellator family.”

This is an interesting move for Bellator, who pick up a broadcaster best known as an NFL Insider. In recent years, however, he also picked up hosting duties with the UFC — but those appearances were dwindling of late.

Glazer’s primary role as NFL Insider with FOX NFL Sunday will not change as part of the deal. He also has a recurring role on HBO’s Ballers, alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Bellator 192 takes place Saturday, January 20 at The Forum in Los Angeles, CA. The Bellator World Heavyweight Grand Prix 2018 bout between Chael Sonnen and Rampage Jackson was recently promoted to the main event. That decision dropped the welterweight title fight between champ Douglas Lima and Rory MacDonald to co-main event status.

The post Jay Glazer Joins Bellator MMA Broadcast Team, Debuts at Bellator 192 appeared first on Cageside Press.

During a sports broadcast, the commentary can make or break the whole experience. In mixed martial arts this is especially true. As of late the UFC has opened the commentary booth to both current and former fighters to test their chops at color. Some, like light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and former bantamweight champ Dominic Cruz have fared pretty well. Others? Not so much.

For just about twenty years now, the UFC’s Joe Rogan has been the gold standard in MMA color commentary. However, there is another guy who many argue is the best color man in the game: Jimmy Smith.

Cageside Press spoke with Smith regarding his departure from Bellator MMA, what’s next for him career-wise and more.

After eight years of being Bellator MMA’s go to guy for anything and everything, Smith decided to test the commentary free agent market so to speak. Still, “My time at Bellator was great” Smith said.

“They [Bellator] are a great organization to work for and I will always look back on my time there as special.”

Smith would go on to explain just how his free agency came about. “We actually informed them [Bellator] that I wouldn’t be back for 2018.”

“I had a two-year contract and an option year for 2018, about halfway through the year they [Bellator] said they wanted to make some changes to my contract, we went back and forth for a while but ultimately it just wasn’t right for me.”

On a personal note, anyone who knows me, knows that I have sung the praises of Bellator perhaps louder than any other journalist, but what were they thinking not honoring Smith’s option for 2018?

Smith would add some clarity, “If you have X amount of money to spend, then that’s what you have to spend. Some things may get left out but that’s how it goes.”

“I truly believe they [Bellator] made an honest effort to meet me half way, it just didn’t work out.”

With nary a negative comment to make about his former home, Smith is all class.

Now, the burning question on everyone’s mind is – Will the UFC sign Jimmy Smith?

So, will they? “The UFC was one of the promotions that reached out to us,” Smith assured me.

Reaching out isn’t quite the same as signing though, “We have been in contact with the UFC for some days now,” Smith elaborated. Time will tell if a deal gets worked out.

We’d be lying if we didn’t admit to salivating at the thought of a commentary booth with both Smith and Rogan. With both doing the same job, you could plug any old play by play guy in there with them (the UFC, after all, has frequently used a three-man booth).

Bellator not bringing Smith back may end up a blessing in disguise if he ends up in the respectable stable of UFC color commentators. Either way Smith wants to be clear that he is a fan of the sport before anything else, and he will continue to be involved with MMA in 2018 one way or another.

The post A Conversation With Current Free Agent Color Commentator Jimmy Smith appeared first on Cageside Press.

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.

The post Big John McCarthy Joins Bellator MMA Broadcast Team appeared first on Cageside Press.

Cormier didn’t have much to say at the time, but he has now released a statement addressing the loss, and at the very least, he seems in somewhat better spirits. In a post to Instagram, he speaks to the loss, his reaction to ref Big John McCarthy calling off the fight, and more.

Addressing new champ Jon Jones, with whom Cormier has feuded for most of his UFC career, DC said “Congratulations to Jon Jones and his team. They did a phenomenal job and got the victory.”

He then turned his attention to ref Big John, who he called “the best in the business.” After the stoppage at UFC 214, Cormier had turned his ire on the pioneering MMA referee, feeling the stoppage came too early. However, Cormier was unaware of being out, and in all honesty the fight probably could have been stopped sooner — McCarthy allowed Cormier every chance to stay in the bout.

“Also, to Big John McCarthy, I would like to apologize for acting up with you” Cormier said in his statement. “I am thankful for the time you gave me to try and defend myself and stay in the fight. You are the best in the business for a reason.”

You can read Daniel Cormier’s full statement below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXMcRjEhW6j/

So where does DC go from here? Having lost to Jones twice, and pushing forty, it seems unlikely that another light heavyweight title fight is in the cards any time soon. North to heavyweight is a possibility, as Cormier is undefeated in that weight class.

The post Daniel Cormier Releases Statement Following UFC 214 Loss appeared first on Cageside Press.