Former UFC referee "Big" John McCarthy has disclosed information about how much referees are paid for officiating bouts in the promotion. McCarthy, who oversaw many high-profile fights during his career, shared insights into the compensation structure in a recent interview.
The revelation comes from a story published on November 3, 2026, which highlights the often-overlooked financial aspects of fight officiating. McCarthy's comments shed light on the pay scale for referees at different event levels.
A photo from UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, shows McCarthy in the octagon during his tenure as a referee.
