“Big” John McCarthy Hints at History of Greasing Problems
(Say what you will about Big John, he could rock the black track pants and latex gloves with the best of them.)
The Los Angeles Times takes a look at various cheating methods in combat sports today, from the illegal substance in Antonio Margarito’s glove to the Vaseline on Georges St. Pierre’s body. The message here is that cheating, or “gamesmanship,” as Bert Sugar charitably tags it, is nothing new.
But of interest to MMA fans are remarks from former UFC referee “Big” John McCarthy, which suggest that greasing problems have persisted for some time now, and that it’s no big secret, either:
"Guys will push the envelope in every way possible," former UFC referee "Big" John McCarthy said of mixed martial arts fighters. "Vaseline has always been an issue in MMA. It's a real problem."
McCarthy has seen MMA fighters come into the octagon after taking a bath filled with soapy water or even baby oil. "You can't notice it when they're dry, but when they get on the ground and start to sweat, it starts to come out of their pores," McCarthy said.
McCarthy also blamed the persistence of this problem on athletic commission regulators, who are accustomed to working boxing matches and don’t realize the advantage a little extra grease on the body can provide in an MMA fight.
The issue raised by the greasebath version of events – and this isn’t the first time we’ve heard that accusation – is tricky to deal with.
For one thing, how do you monitor what a fighter bathes in hours before his fight, and what do you do about it if you notice grease coming out of his pores mid-fight? None of us wants to get to the point where we’re stopping fights to conduct test swabs of a fighter’s skin, but neither do we want to see the sport become a bunch of greased up guys sliding all over the cage.
If GSP was employing the pre-fight bath method, it also makes you wonder why his corner would risk putting Vaseline on him in the middle of a fight in full view of cameras and athletic commission reps, not to mention the ever-vigilant Chuck Liddell at Octagonside.
Regardless, if McCarthy has known this was a problem for so long, chances are so have other people. Sure would be nice to see them do something about it now. New rules on Vaseline application in the cage are a good start, but clearly we can't stop there.
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Comments
9thAtPine Says:
1st!
Angled Dangle Says:
Is it disturing in the least to anyone knowing that "Big" John was checking out the guys in the tub? Makes me wonder how he got the nickname.
Jay Smith Says:
First!
Jay Smith Says:
Damnit
lilpo0ts Says:
wondering why they call him "big" is disgusting seeing as how he's 6ft amillion
Quasicholo Says:
First! glad to see a reputable name come forward with this shit. maybe now there will be some reolutions.
Anonymous Says:
Angled Dangle Says:
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 10:33
Is it disturing in the least to anyone knowing that "Big" John was checking out the guys in the tub? Makes me wonder how he got the nickname.
*************************************
Probably by some homo like you who turns ABSOLUTLEY everything into homoerotica. You probably check out your old mans bulge you flamboyent Ricardo Fag.
Quasicholo Says:
fuck! maybe i'm not first... so close this time.
Sheps Says:
Wow, MMA really is turning into the WWF.
Angled Dangle Says:
UPDATE - Look closely at the aforementioned McCarthy. Notice his slicked back hair. Almost as if getting out of a bath. Maybe the fighters aren't the only ones in the tub. I'll keep you all posted on my latest findings. I'm getting to the bottom of this.
Serb Guy Says:
TUF Guy doesn't even use vaseline when he takes it up the ass.
mackojr Says:
Your an Idiot.
Anonymous Says:
Uh oh GSP! Watch your ass!
SPELLCHECKER Says:
macko jr is an idiot.
learn how to spell.
idiot.
Goat Says:
Have them wear full latex suits that cling to every possible orifice.
That would not only solve all this greasing hoopla, but also increase the UFC's gay demographic by 750000%.
Kimbo's a bitch Says:
Serb Guy. Funny. I do not wanna know how you know that but it is still funny of you to report it.
Thoughts Says:
So wait...is he trying to say that people will cheat to get an advantage if not checked?
I have to call bullshit on this one. Nobody cheats...Nobody.
*If my mistress claims different then that Bitch is lieing.
NinJay Says:
Haha you 1st Douches are the worst!
It could be even worse, you could be Quasicholo who claims first as the 6th comment in!
I call you all idiots but i can't wait for the day that i can click onto CP and see a big fat 0 in the comments section so i can take my stab at glory, or costant ridicule, either way. This will never happen though because unlike most fo you losers i have a job and can't sit on CP all day hitting the refresh button praying to God the Ben's have something to post.
TUF Guy Says:
Serb Guy Says:
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 10:38
TUF Guy doesn't even use vaseline when he takes it up the ass
******************************************
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA are you giving me advice on how to take it up the ass???
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
You sad little pathetic creature.
Kimbo's a bitch Says:
Being Gay is just Gay.
Anonymous Says:
Why are you running this article?
Last time I checked you guys were calling BJ Penn a whiney bitch for even mentioning the grease issue. A little consistency please...
John Rambo Says:
Serb Guy you're beating a dead horse. You are in a trolls territory with this one, he is eating you alive bro.
shit on TUF Guy Says:
@ Serb Guy
You're giving TUF Guy advice on how to take it up the ass?
That's like me giving a Gracie advice on how to grapple.
Trust me, the Gracies know how to grapple, and TUF Guy definitely knows how to take it up the ass.
Kimbo's a bitch Says:
LOL
TUF Guy Says:
Doesn't change the fact that he was giving me advice how I should take it up the ass LOL @ even arguing that fact
Serb Guy Says:
I wasn't giving u any advice TUF Guy.
I was just stating a fact.
Angled Dangle Says:
Breaking News- I've gotta call shenanigans on a former greasing accuser. Just moments ago, I had a brief interview with Matt Hughes. He was outside on his farm with a green leotard and red ear protectors running around tackling the shit out of his hogs. What really got my attention was that the pigs were coated in what looked like vasoline. After he was winded, I asked a few questions and got a few incoherent grunts in reply. He did mention that he was doing this to make a comeback for GSP's belt.
TUF Guy Says:
Heyyy Kimbos Back!!!
Man I haven't made fun of you in weeks. Hows it going? Did you ever confront your father about raising a weak little dingleberry like yourself?
How about you give me your address, so I can come there and kill your father. Then do your mother on his grave during the funeral, while you wach from your wheelchair with your brothers head in your lap?
Let me know.
K. THNX, BAI!
TUF Guy Says:
Serb Guy Says:
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 10:56
I wasn't giving u any advice TUF Guy.
I was just stating a fact.
**************************
But how would you know???
:: Dramatic music plays ::
Tune in next week to find out how Serb Guy stutters to explain himself !! Only ON CPs homoerotica network!
HAHAHAHAHAH you fucking idiot. You'll always suck at everything you do.
Kimbo's a bitch Says:
Boy, you have some imagination. You little, little gaywad.
Thoughts Says:
im sorry but "Gaywad"
That actually made me laugh out loud
Derekrva Says:
Why not get the ring girls who aren't holding up the card to wipe each fighter down with a Shamwow between rounds. "It's made by Germans, so you know its good".
Either that or put a layer of sand in the octagon.
Dr. Gonzo Says:
1st!!!
Ouch! That hurts Says:
You only double your paycheck if you win, there's no incentive to cheat.
Dr. Gonzo Says:
I was being more than a little sarcastic
FreddyFangers Says:
TUF, after your done with Kimbo's mother, I would like to break myself off a piece of her also. SHARING IS CARING... Go fuck yourself Kimbo, you "gaywad"!
Clozer Says:
Gaywad? First time for everything I guess.
Derly Says:
@Derekrva
Why not just get ring girls to rub oil on themselves between rounds? That would fully justify the $50 price of each ppv.
TUF Guy Says:
You guys all know I have never been a fan of taking it up the pooper. I am a true chubby chaser and love to bang the biggins. Nothing better than the hot smell of cheese.
FreddyFangers Says:
@Derly
That would be great for us but then you might not buy the PPVs again
TUF GUY Says:
I'm gay. That's all.
TUF Guy Says:
balls.
CanadianProduce Says:
Did you know that Tim Silvia sharts himself to disgust and distance his opponents? Did you also hear that BJ Penn gets a coconut cream facial every day to improve the elasticity of his skin. Did you also know that Aoki has elastic bands in his tights to improve his clinch power? Where does all this cheating end? Outrageous!!!
Dangada Dang Says:
That was the most vicious mauling of Hello Kitty I have ever seen
BuckWild Says:
Next thing you know bad breath will be used as a weapon !
MrFeexit Says:
Chuck Norris doesn't use grease...grease just wishes it was on Chuck Norris
Neogetter02 Says:
TUF Guy Says is my hero!!!
TUF Guy's Innards Says:
Take it from me, You could drive two of Rampage's trucks up TUF Guys ass.
NinJay Says:
Either that or put a layer of sand in the octagon.
That made me LOL.....damn you, damn you to hell!
TUF Guy Says:
I did get vaseline on my tongue that time I licked Lesnar's cock tattoo. Delicious!