VIDEO: Iconic MMA ref ‘Big’ John McCarthy explains what it was like refereeing Lawler v MacDonald

It will go down as one of the most brutal, entertaining and intriguing mixed martial arts bouts of all time.

Lawler vs. MacDonald II, which took place at July's UFC 189, instantly leapt to the top of many fans' list of favourite fights but the referee in charge of the action that night, John McCarthy, explains how he watched the slugfest in an entirely different way. Having been involved with the promotion since 1994, McCarthy has overseen some of the most famous fights of all time but he revealed that he can't really enjoy the action in the same manner that audience members can. Speaking to MMAJunkie, McCarthy explained that he wasn't truly concerned with the well-being of champion Robbie Lawler during the welterweight title fight in July because he felt that it was Rory MacDonald who was in the most danger. MacDonald broke his nose badly in the first round and McCarthy explains in graphic detail how he grew more and more worried about the challenger throughout the fight as he continued to sustain damage on the feet before the bout was stopped in the fifth and final round, with MacDonald up on the judges' scorecards. A fascinating insight into the mindset of a mixed martial arts referee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnoqUjld2_M