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MMA·ANALYSIS·November 2, 2026 04:09 PM ET

John Mccarthy Says Dana White Blocked UFC return after Bellator move

The referee has not worked a UFC bout since 2017.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read
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What happened: Former referee John McCarthy stated that UFC CEO Dana White actively blocked him from officiating UFC events after McCarthy signed with rival promotion Bellator. McCarthy pushed back against White's recent assertions regarding the selection of cage officials, saying White personally rejected his involvement.

Why it matters: The dispute highlights tension between commission assignment protocols and promotional influence. The comments follow McCarthy's criticism of officiating standards at recent UFC events.

What to watch: Attention turns to whether UFC brass responds during upcoming fight week media availability.

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