"Big" John McCarthy is, without question, the UFC's best known and most distinguished referee. He's been with the company since UFC 2 and had worked every single UFC event until last month at UFC 78 in New Jersey. His notable absence at the event met with surprisingly little fanfare considering Big John's stellar attendance record, but in retrospect would mark a sign of things to come.

Big John McCarthy will step down as the UFC's premier referee after this Saturday's TUF 6 finale card at the Palms Hotel.

The Fight Network has announced that Big John McCarthy has taken a job with them as an MMA analyst and will announce his retirement from the UFC as soon as this Friday.