As one of the most talked-about figures, John McCarthy has built a significant fortune. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What Is John McCarthy's Net Worth?

John McCarthy retired from UFC refereeing in 2018 for good after briefly retiring back in 2007 and moved on to rival organization Bellator where he serves as a commentator.

How much did Big John McCarthy earn in the ring as a ref? John discussed this very question at length in a 2015 podcast. On the podcast, McCarthy revealed that he could earn as little as $400 for a lower-level fight. For a high-profile fight, such as the bout betweenConor McGregorandJose Aldoin December 2015, he earned a surprisingly-scant $1,900.

John had been training withRorion Gracieat the family's L.A. facility when he got involved with the newly created Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993. He was the referee for UFC 2 in 1994 launching his career as a UFC ref.

John McCarthy would go on to referee hundreds of bouts in major MMA promotions and events. The UFC started out with very few rules, but with John's suggestions and feedback, the sport became safer under these new guidelines. McCarthy would often start matches by saying, "Let's get it on," and it became an iconic catchphrase associated with John and his refereeing.

He got the nickname "Big John" because of his imposing size and stature. At 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 260 pounds, McCarthy towered over the majority of the fighters he stood with in the ring. Reportedly, the nickname was first given to him by UFC co-founder and promoter Art Davie. McCarthy remembers being addressed as such after lifting Davie off of the ground and holding him in the air.

John Michael McCarthy was born on October 12, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. McCarthy worked as a tactical self-defense instructor at the Los Angeles Police Academy and retired around 2008 after some thirty years in that post.

John McCarthy is a former American MMA referee who has a net worth of $1 million. Big John McCarthy is best known as the first head referee for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is currently a broadcaster for Bellator MMA and co-hosts the MMA and combat sports podcast "Weighing In" with Josh Thomson.

Ultimately, John McCarthy's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.