Our Instructors - MMA Referee and Judge Trainers
"Big" John McCarthy
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
- Color commentator for Bellator/PFL, member of their broadcast team.
- Refereed thousands of bouts worldwide, including hundreds of Bellator and UFC bouts.
- Refereed for a diverse number of organizations globally including K-1 (Japan), Strikeforce, Affliction, Bellator, King of the Cage, RIZIN and a multitude of others.
- Over the past 20 years, has been a licensed Referee in 21 states in addition to numerous Canadian provinces and countries throughout the world.
- Key figure in the writing of the Unified Rules for the sport of MMA, which is recognized by the ABC and Athletic Commissions across North America.
- Certified MMA Referee & Judging Instructor for the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC).
- Conducted the first ever MMA Referee and Judges Instructional Training Seminar for the ABC at their annual conference and has continued teaching at these conferences on multiple occasions over the years.
- Creator and Head Instructor of COMMAND - Certification of Officials for Mixed Martial Arts National Development, an internationally recognized (and ABC accredited) MMA Referee and Judging training school.
- Conducts COMMAND Referee and Judging courses for regulatory bodies and Commissions worldwide.
Boxing
- Licensed Referee and Judge under CSAC, and licensed Judge with NSAC.
- Attended the ABC’s Boxing Referee and Judging Courses on multiple occasions throughout the years.
- Refereed and Judged numerous amateur and professional boxing matches.
- Refereed a WBC NABF World Championship.
Recognitions
- Awarded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in 2006.
- Opened Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy, a 26,000 sq ft state of the art MMA training facility in 2006.
- Inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame in 2006 for “Outstanding Achievements in the Martial Arts”.
- First-ever recipient of the 2008 World MMA Awards “Lifetime Achievement” accolade, voted on by the sport's most prestigious journalists.
- Awarded 2007 commendation by Senator James Battin for “Career Accomplishments” in MMA, “for the work done to increase the safety, visibility, and importance of Mixed Martial Arts”.
- Awarded 2007 proclamation by the California State Athletic Commission for “dedication and commitment to other officials in helping developing their skills and concern for athletes”.
- Awarded "Best Referee" 2016 World MMA Awards.
Jerin "NinjaPreto" Valel
Jerin Valel
- Former Professional MMA Fighter.
- Refereed all over the world for various MMA promotions such as the UFC, Bellator/PFL, King of the Cage, RUFF, and MFC.
- Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- Medaled & won various BJJ tournaments.
- Competed as a wrestler for the University of Manitoba.
- Competed in Kickboxing.
- ABC certified as a Judge for both MMA and boxing.
- ABC Certified as a MMA Referee.
- Referee in Pro-Kickboxing.
- Nine years work directly alongside Big John McCarthy, and became C.O.M.M.A.N.D.’s first Certified Instructor in August 2010.
- Teaching MMA courses around the world as an industry expert.
Ron McCarthy
Ron McCarthy
- Professional MMA Judge since 2011.
- One of the world's top 10 most active Judges, judging Championship and main event bouts for the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and other high-level organizations.
- Judge for professional kickboxing and Muay-Thai.
- Lifelong immersion in the world of MMA.
- BJJ blue belt.
- ABC Certified as an MMA Judge.
- Has assisted in teaching judging courses for C.O.M.M.A.N.D.
Jason Herzog
Jason Herzog
- Professional Mixed Martial Arts referee since 2003.
- Began refereeing in Tijuana Mexico when an opponent fell out at an event.
- Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Brown Belt in Judo
- One of the world's top 6 most active Refeerees.
- Has assisted in teaching Refs in the C.O.M.M.A.N.D. courses.