"Big" John aka "JUDAS" MacCarthy to referee at UFC Versus 2

Judas MacCarthy who "retired" from refereeing in 2007 after one the greatest fights IMO Huerta vs Guida will return to refereeing a UFC match or matches (not yet confirmed) for the "Bones" vs "The Janitor" card. I wonder what Dana has to say about this as they weren't on speaking terms after he defected over to Affliction. Granted only the athletic commission is the one who picks the referees for fights and organizations have "no" say as to referees a fight.... 

"Big" John McCarthy returns to the UFC for Versus 2

by Jeff Jones on July 27, 2010  

"Let's get it on!"

The phrase that MMA fans became familiar with over the years while watching "Big" John McCarthy referee over 500 UFC fights. Those famous words will be heard once again on August 1, at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, Calif.

mmafighting.com has confirmed that the California Athletic Commission has assigned McCarthy to referee the next UFC event, live on Versus.

McCarthy has not refereed a UFC event since December 2007. It was the finale of TUF: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, and McCarthy was in the octagon for the night's main event between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida. McCarthy stated the day before the match that he would retire after officiating that fight.

Since leaving the UFC, McCarthy has been busy. In early 2008, he opened his own referee and officiating course for MMA officials, called COMMAND (Certification of Officials for Mixed Martial Arts Development). As it stands, COMMAND is the only nationally certified program that is recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions (A.B.C.) for referees and judges in mixed martial arts.

McCarthy made his return to officiating at a Strikeforce event in late 2008, and was also designated as a judge this past January at WEC 46.

As of right now, it is unknown how many fights "Big" John will officiate on August 1. He will not be providing any interviews or comments leading up to the event.