Big John McCarthy was shocked how Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000 played out

Veteran MMA referee, Big John McCarthy, talks Bellator 149’s co-main event between Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000.

John McCarthy has seen almost everything take place inside the cage during his 22-year career as a mixed martial arts referee. However, that didn’t stop “Big” John from questioning what he had let himself in for at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas for Bellator 149’s Friday night show.

The longtime referee, who made his Octagon debut during the sport’s dark ages at UFC 2, was caught in the middle of the co-main event between rivals Kimbo Slice (Kevin Ferguson) and Dada 5000 (Dhafir Harris). McCarthy, along with thousands of MMA fans tuning in, expected things to be over in a hurry – but Slice and Harris found themselves slugging it out until the third round.

“I honestly thought it would be over within the first round,” McCaarthy told MMA Fighting. “And you know, when we got to the end of the first round, I thought, ‘Oh my God, this thing’s going to go all three rounds.'”

The two heavyweights were notably exhausted by the end of the 1st round, but it was former Ultimate Fighter sensation Kimbo Slice who managed to survive in deep waters. During the 2nd round, McCarthy had to intervene when Slice had secured full mount but wasn’t active from the position.

“I always tell them, ‘I’m going to stand you up unless you do something,'” McCarthy said. “I’m telling Kimbo, ‘Kimbo, do something.’ And he’s just tired. He’s not trying to punch, he’s not trying to go for a submission, he’s just trying to catch breath and let time go by.”

Dada 5000 collapsed due to exhaustion and was stretchered off backstage to seek immediate medical attention. His family released a statement confirming the street fighter suffered renal failure and severe dehydration due to his taxing 40 lbs. weight cut. The 38-year-old is reportedly stable in hospital and is likely to make a full recovery.

Veteran MMA referee, Big John McCarthy, talks Bellator 149’s co-main event between Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000.

John McCarthy has seen almost everything take place inside the cage during his 22-year career as a mixed martial arts referee. However, that didn’t stop “Big” John from questioning what he had let himself in for at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas for Bellator 149’s Friday night show.

The longtime referee, who made his Octagon debut during the sport’s dark ages at UFC 2, was caught in the middle of the co-main event between rivals Kimbo Slice (Kevin Ferguson) and Dada 5000 (Dhafir Harris). McCarthy, along with thousands of MMA fans tuning in, expected things to be over in a hurry – but Slice and Harris found themselves slugging it out until the third round.

“I honestly thought it would be over within the first round,” McCaarthy told MMA Fighting. “And you know, when we got to the end of the first round, I thought, ‘Oh my God, this thing’s going to go all three rounds.'”

The two heavyweights were notably exhausted by the end of the 1st round, but it was former Ultimate Fighter sensation Kimbo Slice who managed to survive in deep waters. During the 2nd round, McCarthy had to intervene when Slice had secured full mount but wasn’t active from the position.

“I always tell them, ‘I’m going to stand you up unless you do something,'” McCarthy said. “I’m telling Kimbo, ‘Kimbo, do something.’ And he’s just tired. He’s not trying to punch, he’s not trying to go for a submission, he’s just trying to catch breath and let time go by.”

Dada 5000 collapsed due to exhaustion and was stretchered off backstage to seek immediate medical attention. His family released a statement confirming the street fighter suffered renal failure and severe dehydration due to his taxing 40 lbs. weight cut. The 38-year-old is reportedly stable in hospital and is likely to make a full recovery.