Let's Get It On!_ The Making of MMA and Its Ultimate Referee - Big John Mccarthy [0]
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is a registered trademark of Medallion Press, Inc.
Copyright © 2011 by John McCarthy with Loretta Hunt
Cover design by James Tampa
Cover photography by Eric Curtis
Back cover fighters: Alan Shook, David Weber
Edited by Emily Steele
Interior photos courtesy of John McCarthy and Loretta Hunt
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.
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Images on color insert #2, page 2 courtesy of MAD # 348 © 1996 E.C. Publications, Inc. Used with Permission.
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First Edition
DEDICATION
To my dad, who always has been and always will be my hero. You have shown me from the beginning what a real man is and have lived your life with honor, integrity, and humility. You are a force of nature.
To my mom, who was always there for me while I was growing up. You patched me up and got me back into whatever I was doing at the time. You were at not only every game I played but just about every practice too. Thank you for everything. I love you.
To my children, Ron, Britney, and John. I know I was far from perfect, but I was always trying. I am sorry that I sometimes missed things I should have been at because of MMA. I made some bad choices, and I apologize.
To Rorion and Royce. Thank you for what you did. You inspired me and made me a believer. Your father, Helio, is the creator of MMA, and you both are responsible for putting it on the map.
To Bob Meyrowitz. Thank you for believing in MMA and me. You kept the sport alive when everyone was trying to kill it. Everyone who loves MMA owes you a thanks.
To Lorenzo, Frank, and Dana. Thank you for saving the sport of MMA. When you came in, things were looking rather bleak. I know it did not turn around overnight, but through your hard work and vision, you made it happen.
Last and certainly not least, I have to talk about Elaine. Thanks would not nearly cover what you have meant to me and how you have made my life complete. You have been there since the beginning and have put up with all of the craziness that has surrounded my life. I could not have asked for a greater partner in life. You have made the ride special, and I will always love you.
I am the last of a dying breed. I talk, walk, dress, and act the way I want in a world where few others do. I will tell you the truth, even if you don’t like it. Many of you don’t like me, are even afraid of me because I tell it like it is and you don’t like to hear it. I am always there for my friends and will tell them the truth even if they don’t like it, because that is what a friend does. Strength and Honor is my bloodline. I take the lead, back my friends, and will stand with them no matter if it is an army standing in front of us. I will fight until the end. Death before Dishonor is our motto. I am a man of Honor.
—Nick Castiglia, for his sensei Pat Cooligan
CONTENTS
Foreword by Bas Rutten
1 Son of the Gun
2 Water Ballet and Bloody Noses
3 Elaine
4 The Badge
5 Vices
6 The Riots
7 The Beginning
8 Best Seat in the House
9 This Thing’s Going
10 Renegades
11 The Third Man
12 Writing on the Wall
13 Changes
14 The Hail Mary
15 The Art of the Call
16 All in the Timing
17 Let’s Get It On!
Acknowledgments
Bas having a “moment” with Maurice Smith
Bas is pointing out who’s number one. Really.
I really like the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In that