Big John McCarthy reveals Dana White's anger ended his UFC refereeing career in 2017

John McCarthy, one of the most recognisable referees in MMA history, has revealed that UFC president Dana White’s anger over his move to Bellator’s commentary team effectively ended his assignments inside the octagon — a situation that has persisted since 2017.

Speaking to journalist Ariel Helwani, McCarthy explained the mechanics behind how officials are selected for UFC events. While state athletic commissions technically hold the authority to appoint referees within their jurisdictions, McCarthy said the UFC submits preferred names to those commissions — and his was not among them.

“I went and worked for Bellator and Dana White was absolutely pissed about that and said, ‘I don’t want him,’” McCarthy told Helwani. “And he doesn’t need me. That’s fine… You want the truth? I’ll tell you the truth. They put in names for people they feel comfortable with, which they should be able to do.”

McCarthy’s candid remarks shed light on the informal but significant influence major promotions can exert over officiating appointments — a process that, on paper, sits with independent regulatory bodies. His acknowledgement that the UFC is within its rights to express preferences stops well short of a formal accusation, but the implication is clear: crossing the promotion’s leadership carries professional consequences.

The referee’s credentials make his prolonged absence from the UFC all the more striking. McCarthy was instrumental in developing the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, the regulatory framework that governs the sport globally, and spent decades as one of the most trusted officials in the cage. His last UFC assignment came nearly nine years ago.

McCarthy has continued to work in MMA in various capacities since departing the UFC’s orbit, including commentary and broadcasting roles, but his absence from the sport’s biggest stage has long been a topic of speculation among fans and insiders alike. His comments to Helwani represent the most direct explanation he has offered publicly.