Ex-UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy doesn’t always agree with how Dana White attempts to rewrite the promotion’s storied history, particularly during its rise to prominence in the early 2000s. Ahead of the UFC’s first event to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, the newly dubbed CEO of the UFC, Dana White, sat down for an uncensored interview […]
Ex-UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy doesn’t always agree with how Dana White attempts to rewrite the promotion’s storied history, particularly during its rise to prominence in the early 2000s.
Ahead of the UFC’s first event to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, the newly dubbed CEO of the UFC, Dana White, sat down for an uncensored interview with Piers Morgan. During their conversation, White looked back on the history of the promotion and credited late U.S. Senator John McCain with helping the UFC get sanctioned after he famously called the bloodsport nothing more than “human cockfighting.”
Dana White echoed similar sentiments in a 2008 interview with Sports Illustrated.
“I consider John McCain the guy who started the UFC. If it wasn’t for McCain I wouldn’t be here right now,” White said. “What people don’t understand about mixed martial arts and the UFC is, what [McCain] was saying to the old owners is that you cannot put on fights in states that aren’t sanctioned. It’s illegal. You can’t do it. You have to be sanctioned by an athletic commission, which we agreed with him on 100 percent. John McCain wasn’t saying this thing shouldn’t happen, or it shouldn’t be running. He was saying, if ‘You’re going to do it, it has to be sanctioned by an athletic commission.’ We agree.”
A year prior, John McMain said, “They have cleaned up the sport to the point, at least in my view, where it is not human cockfighting anymore.”
John McCarthy Says Dana White’s John McCain Story is Not Entirely Accurate
All of that is good and well, but according to John McCarthy, it’s not entirely accurate.
“What has got me in trouble with Dana [White]… I was there from the beginning,” McCarthy said during a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast. “Before there was the sport. I know everything that happened, I know who created things…they create their own history, and that’s one of the things that bothered me about Dana was, he was rewriting history. When people didn’t know, he would just insert his form of ‘Well, we did this, we did that’, and it’s like, no you didn’t… You can only go so many times until you say ‘Alright, you’re just going to lie about it’.
“He was honest [in the Piers Morgan interview]. He talked about what John McCain said before he was part of the sport. He said ‘He kinda did us a favor because his big thing was to get this regulated’…from Dana’s point, I can understand why he says that, but that’s not completely the story… He was honest with everything he said in the interview, I thought he was great” (h/t MMA News).
Earlier this month, the UFC officially merged with World Wrestling Entertainment to form a new publicly traded company, TKO Group. The UFC was given a staggering 12.3 billion dollar evaluation seven years removed from the promotion’s sale to Endeavor for $4 billion. The new entity, TKO, is said to have a total value tipping the scales at $21 billion after bringing the MMA empire and the pro wrestling juggernaut under the same banner.
Bellator president Scott Coker, Phil Davis, Herschel Walker and others are all on hand for a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic to announce new brain health testing requirements for the Nevada Athletic Commission.
The press conference begins at 12:15 p.m. ET and will feature Senator John McCain.
Below is a complete press release, including comments from Coker and Davis:
Some of the biggest names in boxing and mixed martial arts joined Senator John McCain and Dr. Charles Bernick, M.D., M.P.H., associate medical director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health today on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of the ongoing study of fighters’ brain health and announce a new Nevada State Athletic Commission fighter safety regulation.
Today, Bernick shared that the Nevada State Athletic Commission will require all fighters in Nevada to partake in regular brain health testing, making it the first sport to track brain fitness over an athlete’s career. All fighters in Nevada will be assessed using the C3 app, which is the tool used in the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study and developed by Cleveland Clinic.
“We’re extremely pleased by the Commission’s decision to require regular brain health testing using the C3 app in Nevada, which was a decision influenced largely by data collected from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study,” said Dr. Charles Bernick, M.D., M.P.H., associate medical director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. “The continued support from Bellator, Premier Boxing Champions and Spike is essential in propelling the study and fighter safety, and we are appreciative of their and contribution and presence at today’s event.”
Established in 2011 with nearly 600 active and retired athletes enrolled, the study is focused on developing methods to detect the earliest and most subtle signs of brain injury in athletes exposed to head trauma, as well as determining which individuals may be more likely to develop chronic neurological disorders. Participation is voluntary, and fighters in the study receive free, ongoing assessments of their brain health and function, including MRI scans. Individual tests will be repeated annually for a minimum of four years.
“As a former boxer and lifelong fan, I understand the critical need to improve research into the effects of contact sports on brain health and fighter safety,” said Senator McCain. “I appreciate the ongoing efforts of Cleveland Clinic and top boxing and mixed martial-arts organizations to complete these innovative studies so we can ensure the long-term health of these great athletes.”
“As proud supporters and contributors to the Professional Fighters’ Brain Study, UFC is thrilled to see the Cleveland Clinic and the Nevada State Athletic Commission taking proactive measures to continue to put athletes’ health and safety front and center,” said UFC Chief Operating Officer Ike Lawrence Epstein. “It is our collective responsibility as leaders to be at the forefront and always challenging the status quo in order to elevate the safety standards so critical to the future of combat sports.”
Viacom’s Bellator MMA and the Premier Boxing Champions announced their donation to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s Professional Fighters Study and their continued commitment to fighters’ safety.
Larry Holmes, a heavyweight boxing legend, was joined by current fighters, Paulie Malignaggi and Austin Trout on behalf of the Premier Boxing Champions, along with former NFL star and MMA fighter Herschel Walker, and Bellator MMA’s Phil Davis to discuss how the long range impact of the Cleveland Clinic study will have on the sport they love so much
“The sport of boxing has given me so much – and I cherished all the amazing fighters I’ve trained with, sparred with, and gone to battle with in my 29 years as a pro fighter. But now I’d like to show my support for an incredible group, The Cleveland Clinic that is making sure others have the same opportunity to have a long and prosperous career as I did. And most importantly, remain safe and healthy,” said boxing icon Larry Holmes.
“I’ve been both a professional football player and MMA fighter – and brain health in combative sports is an issue that must be addressed for the safety of these great athletes. I truly applaud the efforts of the Cleveland Clinic and the support from Bellator and all the other fight leagues who are tackling this issue head on,” said Herschel Walker, football legend and former pro fighter.
“I’m proud to be on Capitol Hill today representing my fellow MMA fighters in supporting this vital research that will help educate us and hopefully keep us safe long-term,” said Phil Davis, former All-American wrestler at Penn St and Bellator MMA fighter.
“I’m fighting for a world title in a few weeks – but today I’d like to show my support a true undisputed champion – The Cleveland Clinic – and the crucial work they do in researching brain health for us fighters,” said Austin Trout, junior middleweight top contender. “I’m hoping to be champion for a long time – and this research will go a long way in helping me do so.”
“For 15 years – I’ve fought the best and have always left everything I have in the ring,” said former welterweight champion and television commentator Paulie Malignaggi. “It’s great to know that in my corner is the Cleveland Clinic with the world’s best medical researchers working to make fighters safer.”
Bellator MMA’s Scott Coker and Spike President Kevin Kay also spoke about their commitment to this incredibly important and impactful study.
“Fighter safety is a top priority for Bellator and we applaud the Cleveland Clinic in their efforts that will have a positive long-range effect on the health of our fighters and on the future of our sport,” said Scott Coker, President, Bellator MMA.
“Spike recently launched a Fighters First campaign that speaks to our commitment to supporting these great athletes inside and outside the ring,” said Kay. “Fighters lay it all on the line in the ring or cage – and we owe to them and their health to fund the important work of the Cleveland Clinic,” said Kay.
Bellator president Scott Coker, Phil Davis, Herschel Walker and others are all on hand for a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic to announce new brain health testing requirements for the Nevada Athletic Commission.
The press conference begins at 12:15 p.m. ET and will feature Senator John McCain.
Below is a complete press release, including comments from Coker and Davis:
Some of the biggest names in boxing and mixed martial arts joined Senator John McCain and Dr. Charles Bernick, M.D., M.P.H., associate medical director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health today on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of the ongoing study of fighters’ brain health and announce a new Nevada State Athletic Commission fighter safety regulation.
Today, Bernick shared that the Nevada State Athletic Commission will require all fighters in Nevada to partake in regular brain health testing, making it the first sport to track brain fitness over an athlete’s career. All fighters in Nevada will be assessed using the C3 app, which is the tool used in the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study and developed by Cleveland Clinic.
“We’re extremely pleased by the Commission’s decision to require regular brain health testing using the C3 app in Nevada, which was a decision influenced largely by data collected from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study,” said Dr. Charles Bernick, M.D., M.P.H., associate medical director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. “The continued support from Bellator, Premier Boxing Champions and Spike is essential in propelling the study and fighter safety, and we are appreciative of their and contribution and presence at today’s event.”
Established in 2011 with nearly 600 active and retired athletes enrolled, the study is focused on developing methods to detect the earliest and most subtle signs of brain injury in athletes exposed to head trauma, as well as determining which individuals may be more likely to develop chronic neurological disorders. Participation is voluntary, and fighters in the study receive free, ongoing assessments of their brain health and function, including MRI scans. Individual tests will be repeated annually for a minimum of four years.
“As a former boxer and lifelong fan, I understand the critical need to improve research into the effects of contact sports on brain health and fighter safety,” said Senator McCain. “I appreciate the ongoing efforts of Cleveland Clinic and top boxing and mixed martial-arts organizations to complete these innovative studies so we can ensure the long-term health of these great athletes.”
“As proud supporters and contributors to the Professional Fighters’ Brain Study, UFC is thrilled to see the Cleveland Clinic and the Nevada State Athletic Commission taking proactive measures to continue to put athletes’ health and safety front and center,” said UFC Chief Operating Officer Ike Lawrence Epstein. “It is our collective responsibility as leaders to be at the forefront and always challenging the status quo in order to elevate the safety standards so critical to the future of combat sports.”
Viacom’s Bellator MMA and the Premier Boxing Champions announced their donation to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s Professional Fighters Study and their continued commitment to fighters’ safety.
Larry Holmes, a heavyweight boxing legend, was joined by current fighters, Paulie Malignaggi and Austin Trout on behalf of the Premier Boxing Champions, along with former NFL star and MMA fighter Herschel Walker, and Bellator MMA’s Phil Davis to discuss how the long range impact of the Cleveland Clinic study will have on the sport they love so much
“The sport of boxing has given me so much – and I cherished all the amazing fighters I’ve trained with, sparred with, and gone to battle with in my 29 years as a pro fighter. But now I’d like to show my support for an incredible group, The Cleveland Clinic that is making sure others have the same opportunity to have a long and prosperous career as I did. And most importantly, remain safe and healthy,” said boxing icon Larry Holmes.
“I’ve been both a professional football player and MMA fighter – and brain health in combative sports is an issue that must be addressed for the safety of these great athletes. I truly applaud the efforts of the Cleveland Clinic and the support from Bellator and all the other fight leagues who are tackling this issue head on,” said Herschel Walker, football legend and former pro fighter.
“I’m proud to be on Capitol Hill today representing my fellow MMA fighters in supporting this vital research that will help educate us and hopefully keep us safe long-term,” said Phil Davis, former All-American wrestler at Penn St and Bellator MMA fighter.
“I’m fighting for a world title in a few weeks – but today I’d like to show my support a true undisputed champion – The Cleveland Clinic – and the crucial work they do in researching brain health for us fighters,” said Austin Trout, junior middleweight top contender. “I’m hoping to be champion for a long time – and this research will go a long way in helping me do so.”
“For 15 years – I’ve fought the best and have always left everything I have in the ring,” said former welterweight champion and television commentator Paulie Malignaggi. “It’s great to know that in my corner is the Cleveland Clinic with the world’s best medical researchers working to make fighters safer.”
Bellator MMA’s Scott Coker and Spike President Kevin Kay also spoke about their commitment to this incredibly important and impactful study.
“Fighter safety is a top priority for Bellator and we applaud the Cleveland Clinic in their efforts that will have a positive long-range effect on the health of our fighters and on the future of our sport,” said Scott Coker, President, Bellator MMA.
“Spike recently launched a Fighters First campaign that speaks to our commitment to supporting these great athletes inside and outside the ring,” said Kay. “Fighters lay it all on the line in the ring or cage – and we owe to them and their health to fund the important work of the Cleveland Clinic,” said Kay.
Evidently U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has paid close attention to the drastic evolution that’s occurred over the last 15 years in MMA, the sport he once demonized but ultimately helped change.
In fact, McCain made an appearance at a press conferenc…
Evidently U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has paid close attention to the drastic evolution that’s occurred over the last 15 years in MMA, the sport he once demonized but ultimately helped change.
In fact, McCain made an appearance at a press conference last Wednesday in D.C., where he helped address funding and other issues regarding The Cleveland Clinic’s Fighter Brain Health Study.
After the press conference, McCain, a former Virginia high school wrestler who later boxed for the Naval Academy, admitted to Inside MMA’s Ron Kruck that if he were in his prime, he’d give MMA a go.
Kruck asked, “Now if mixed martial arts was around back then, do you think you’d give it a shot?”
McCain answered, “Absolutely. Absolutely.”
Long gone are the days of McCain criticizing and protesting the legalization and progression of the sport.
These days, McCain, who’s educated himself on the intricacies of the growth of MMA, has flipped his critical stance and become an advocate of sorts for the continued evolution of the sport.
“If we don’t do this, then I’m afraid that support for these incredible entertaining sports will wane on the part of the American people,” McCain said via ABC News’ Alexander Mallin at the press conference Wednesday. “We owe it to the future of the sport, and we owe it to the future of the men and women who want to engage in it.”
The Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will conduct the study, which will mark the first of its kind in quantifying brain health in pro boxers and mixed martial artists.
Several marquee boxing entities and MMA organizations, including the UFC and Bellator MMA, have teamed up to chip in and donate $600,000 towards the study.
The Cleveland Clinic hopes to subject more than 200 fighters to MRI testing and other related examinations in this multi-year project.
There are few occasions where you could get executives from the UFC, Bellator, Golden Boy, and Top Rank in the same room without a full-scale brawl breaking out. But today in Washington, DC, an unprecedented congregation of combat-sports power players joined forces to support a common cause — the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study, which is being conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas.
According to a press release distributed today, the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study was launched in April 2011, and is “focused on developing methods to detect the earliest and most subtle signs of brain injury in those exposed to head trauma, as well as determining which individuals may be more likely to develop chronic neurological disorders.” You can read a little more about the Cleveland Clinic’s work here.
Senators and lifelong boxing-lovers Harry Reid (D-NV) and John McCain (R-AZ) were keynote speakers at today’s press-conference, which you can watch above in its entirety. The list of speakers also included UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Spike TV President Kevin Kay, Bellator lightweight star Michael Chandler, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, Top Rank President Todd duBoef, and boxing legend Bernard Hopkins. Collectively, the combat sports promotions in attendance pledged $600,000 to help the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study continue its research for another year. As the press-release explains:
There are few occasions where you could get executives from the UFC, Bellator, Golden Boy, and Top Rank in the same room without a full-scale brawl breaking out. But today in Washington, DC, an unprecedented congregation of combat-sports power players joined forces to support a common cause — the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study, which is being conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas.
According to a press release distributed today, the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study was launched in April 2011, and is “focused on developing methods to detect the earliest and most subtle signs of brain injury in those exposed to head trauma, as well as determining which individuals may be more likely to develop chronic neurological disorders.” You can read a little more about the Cleveland Clinic’s work here.
Senators and lifelong boxing-lovers Harry Reid (D-NV) and John McCain (R-AZ) were keynote speakers at today’s press-conference, which you can watch above in its entirety. The list of speakers also included UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Spike TV President Kevin Kay, Bellator lightweight star Michael Chandler, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, Top Rank President Todd duBoef, and boxing legend Bernard Hopkins. Collectively, the combat sports promotions in attendance pledged $600,000 to help the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study continue its research for another year. As the press-release explains:
To date, the study has enrolled nearly 400 active and retired fighters with the goal of evaluating 625 by its completion. Participation is completely voluntary, and fighters in the study receive free, ongoing assessments of their brain health and brain function, including MRI scans. Individual tests will be repeated annually for at least four years…
Studies suggest a percentage of professional fighters have a higher risk of developing long-term conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), depression and other neurological and neuropsychiatric problems, often at a young age. Currently, there is no way to determine if a fighter has sustained cumulative brain damage from head trauma; the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is working toward identifying risk factors in these individuals.
Researchers measure changes in brain volume, nerve fiber injury and connectivity, and blood flow via MRI scans. Any changes seen on the participant’s MRI will be correlated with their performance on assessments of cognition, behavior, balance and speech. For fighters who demonstrate a relationship between MRI findings and clinical decline, researchers hope to determine whether there are other factors such as genetics, lifestyle characteristics or the amount or type of exposure to head trauma that make them more susceptible to injury.
Preliminary results from the study have already been published or presented at a number of national meetings. Among the promising findings, the study detected changes in the volume of specific brain regions. The connections between certain areas of the brain were detected by MRI scanning in some individuals within as little as a one-year period, suggesting that MRI measures may turn out to be a useful method of tracking brain changes over time in those exposed to head trauma.
Moreover, the study found that exposure to head trauma – using the Composite Index, a formula that includes number of fights, years of fighting and fights per year – correlates with brain volume and cognitive performance. Those with a higher score on the Composite Index are more likely to score lower on cognitive testing. Pending validation over time, this may be a screening tool to identify fighters at higher risk of brain injury.
“We have made great progress in the study so far, and we are continuing to work toward understanding why certain individuals sustain long-term brain injury from repeated head trauma and how we can detect changes early to protect those individuals,” said Charles Bernick, M.D., Associate Medical Director at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and principle investigator on the study. “With the support of the fighting community, our goal is to use this information to improve safety in these sports for generations to come.”
According to Lorenzo Fertitta:
“Nothing is more important to the UFC than the health and safety of our athletes. As the world’s premier MMA organization we have consistently lived up to that commitment to our fighters and we always will. UFC was the first – and remains the only – combat sports organization to provide our athletes with accident insurance coverage for training-related injuries. Today’s announcement is a no-brainer for us, as we continue our commitment to athlete safety. We are proud to join with these other prominent promoters – our colleague and competitors – to support the Cleveland Clinic’s brain health study.
We are encouraged by the early results of the study and we look forward to the final findings of the Lou Ruvo Center’s research, knowing that they will benefit our athletes, as well as athletes from many other sports. Finally, the support shown by Senators Reid and McCain, and many of their colleagues, cannot go unnoticed. They have been true leaders and we thank them on behalf of the UFC, our athletes and our fans.”
Directed by Bobby Razak, whom you may know as the man behind the amazing Tapout short film, The Future of MMA (that video is after the jump), The History of MMA takes a nostalgic look back at the highs and lows of the sport we love oh so much, and includes commentary from several legends of the sport, including Bas Rutten, Frank Shamrock, Mark Coleman, and referee Big John McCarthy among others. And as luck would have it, Mr. Razak decided to drop the trailer yesterday. We would advise that you check it out.
As you can see, the film touches on many of MMA’s most infamous moments; John McCain’s labeling of the sport as “human cockfighting,” its evolution through Pancrase, and the moment Tito Ortiz decided he had what it took to roc da mic right, yeah. On a side note, we bet Tank Abbott is gonna be pissed when he finds out that his name and photo appear whilst Bas Rutten describes how the UFC used to bring in “big guys with no skill.”
Anyway, join us after the jump to check out The Future of MMA, as well as an up close and personal excerpt from The History of MMA featuring Fred Ettish, a fighter whom, after getting obliterated in his only professional mixed martial arts contest at UFC 2, came back to claim his first win in 2009. At age 53.
Directed by Bobby Razak, whom you may know as the man behind the amazing Tapout short film, The Future of MMA (that video is after the jump), The History of MMA takes a nostalgic look back at the highs and lows of the sport we love oh so much, and includes commentary from several legends of the sport, including Bas Rutten, Frank Shamrock, Mark Coleman, and referee Big John McCarthy among others. And as luck would have it, Mr. Razak decided to drop the trailer yesterday. We would advise that you check it out.
As you can see, the film touches on many of MMA’s most infamous moments; John McCain’s labeling of the sport as “human cockfighting,” its evolution through Pancrase, and the moment Tito Ortiz decided he had what it took to roc da mic right, yeah. On a side note, we bet Tank Abbott is gonna be pissed when he finds out that his name and photo appear whilst Bas Rutten describes how the UFC used to bring in “big guys with no skill.”
Anyway, join us after the jump to check out The Future of MMA, as well as an up close and personal excerpt from The History of MMA featuring Fred Ettish, a fighter whom, after getting obliterated in his only professional mixed martial arts contest at UFC 2, came back to claim his first win in 2009. At age 53.
The History of MMA
Fred Ettish Interview
Details remain sketchy about The History of MMA’s release date, but we will keep you updated on any developments as they transpire.
Evidently U.S. Sen. 