Veteran referee John McCarthy has come to Ciryl Gane's defense following the controversial illegal-shots incident in his fight against Alex Pereira. McCarthy believes Gane became overzealous in his effort to finish Pereira and acted recklessly while chasing the stoppage. He also noted that Pereira was turning his head to survive, which caused Gane's punches to land on the back of the skull.
Veteran referee John McCarthy has stepped forward to offer context around the illegal-shots controversy that emerged from the heavyweight clash between Ciryl Gane and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
McCarthy, one of the most respected officials in MMA history, argued that Gane was not acting with malicious intent when his punches landed on the back of Pereira's skull. In McCarthy's view, the French heavyweight became overzealous in his desire to finish the fight and acted recklessly while pressing for a stoppage. He also pointed out that Pereira was actively turning his head in an attempt to survive, which contributed to the illegal shots landing where they did.
Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," enters the conversation as the number two ranked heavyweight at 36 years old. The France native trains out of MMA Factory and carries a 14-2 record. Standing six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach, he is one of the more technically refined strikers in the division, landing 5.29 significant strikes per minute at a 61 percent accuracy rate.
Pereira, nicknamed "Poatan," holds the light heavyweight championship and competed in this bout at 38 years old out of Brazil. He owns a 13-4 record and shares Gane's six-foot-four frame, though his reach measures slightly shorter at 79 inches. His striking output of 5.16 significant strikes per minute and 62 percent accuracy underscore why he remains one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport.
Why it matters
- The illegal-shots incident clouds the result of a high-profile crossover matchup between a top heavyweight and a champion
- McCarthy's explanation shifts some responsibility toward Pereira's movement, adding nuance to how the fouls are interpreted
- The controversy may have implications for how any potential rematch or official outcome is discussed going forward
