Ref "Big" John McCarthy of UFC fame has signed a deal with NIWA to become the senior official within the promotion.  McCarthy bring years professional referering experience with him.  Even thought the UFC and the NIWA are similar in many respects, McCarthy feels as though the NIWA will bring with him a whole new set of challenges.

"I like both mixed martial arts and professional wrestling.  With the NIWA, it is going to different in a lot of respects and I am looking forward to it," said McCarthy.

Since he is no longer the head official in the UFC, McCarthy says that right there was the big selling point of the contract.  Also running his MMA school and whether he would have time for that was another point in the contract that was ironed out.  McCarthy was given the freedom to run his school and still be the head NIWA official.

"To be able to do both is what I wanted to do.  I thank the NIWA for giving me the freedom to do both.  If I wasn't able to do both, than I may not have signed with this great upstart promotion." added McCarthy

McCarthy will make his official officiating debut on May 20th at the house show in Summerside, Prince Edward Island in Consolidation Credit Union Place.