MMANews.com’s own Chris Howie recently caught up with the legendary MMA referee and one of the faces of UFC history “Big” John McCarthy to discuss his recent retirement from his job as an MMA referee, his new job as analyst and fight commentator, among a number of other topics. Below is a complete transcript of the interview which was conducted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007.
How are you today John?

“Big” John McCarthy: I’m doing good. Just spending a few days here in Toronto.

MMANews.com: How are you liking the city?

“Big” John McCarthy: Well, they lied to me and said it never snowed here.

MMANews.com: [laughs] I’m Canadian myself and for it to not be snowing in Canada this time of year would be a shocker.

“Big” John McCarthy: [laughs] Yeah that’s for sure. I was actually in Montreal for the TKO show and it was cold as hell. They told me it would be better in Toronto because it didn’t snow much.

Former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner, who recently signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC after a year-and-a-half break from competition, recently spent some time training with Josh Burkman, a cast member from “The Ultimate Fighter 2” who headlines next month’s UFC Fight Night 12 event with Mike Swick.Tanner, who recently relocated to Las Vegas, documented his trip to Salt Lake City and his training sessions with Burkman at evantanner.net.

GSP talks candidly about his loss to Matt Serra

UFC All access, GSP’s training regimen.

Brock Lesnar officializing his UFC contract during UFC77. (10/20/07)

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 — If given the chance to fight in California a fourth time, UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (Pictures) won’t say yes.

Almost a half year removed from a positive test for nandrolone, Sherk — one of 41 mixed martial artists popped for banned substances in the Golden State since a widespread anti-doping policy was implemented in March — finally had a chance to defend himself in front of the California State Athletic Commission.

“At this stage of my career, there’s absolutely no way I’d do something like that,” Sherk said during his opening statement.