John McCarthy has been around this game longer than most and he knows precisely what does and doesn’t qualify as timidity.
Timidity is considered a foul under the Unified Rules of MMA and is defined as “avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.”
A select group of viewers of the main event of UFC 202 believed that Conor McGregor was guilty of that foul during his majority decision victory over Nate Diaz.
In the latter rounds of Saturday’s rematch, McGregor could be seen distancing himself from his opponent for a few seconds in order to catch his breath and, although it seemed more of an innocuous attempt to reset rather than an active decision to run away from engagement, some think he should have been warned or even have a point deducted.
Since the final buzzer rang, referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy has repeatedly been asked why he didn’t punish ‘The Notorious’ and he explained why he didn’t consider McGregor’s behaviour to be timid.
Yes I have taken points from fighters for timidity. What Conor was doing is not timidity #AskBJM https://t.co/Ok90FLIN6s
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 22, 2016
A fighter is allowed to move away from their opponent to gain time & distance. It just can't be perpetual #AskBJM https://t.co/kA9PxItFTb
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 21, 2016
Obviously not the one you did. A fighter can move away from their opponent & reset. It's part of fighting #AskBJM https://t.co/QM1L6sny8n
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 22, 2016
McCarthy went on to explain that he believed the judges, who scored the bout 48-47, 47-47, 48-47 in a majority decision for McGregor, got the call right.
The fight was scored correctly with Conor winning 1,2&4. 2nd was close, but Conor had a knockdown #AskBJM https://t.co/8b75gBoYc7
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 21, 2016
I have already said that the judges got it right 48-47 McGregor. It was a very close fight #AskBJM https://t.co/9zXmd2xQq3
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 23, 2016
But more than anything else, the veteran official was just honoured to have shared the Octagon with two absolute warriors.
I thought it was a great fight between 2 tough as hell warriors. The judges got it right #AskBJM https://t.co/eNzgJP2RUD
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 23, 2016
I just told them both great fight #AskBJM https://t.co/qj9sEMUUQC
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 23, 2016
On the latest GAA Hour we look back at Mayo-Tipperary and chat to Andy Moran about his incredible, never-ending career. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
