Big John McCarthy will return as a athletic commission official for the Zuffa ran WEC 46 event in Sacramento on Jan 10th. The longtime referee was a iconic figure at UFC events, before being blacklisted in Nevada for negative statements about the athletic commision and Zuffa.

One stipulation, Big John will not enter the cage as a referee, but instead sit on the outside as a judge.

“The California State Athletic Commission today released its list of assignments for the Jan. 10 WEC show in Sacramento, and there’s a surprising name on the list: popular long-time referee “Big” John McCarthy has been assigned to the show. Even more surprising is the news that McCarthy has not been assigned as a referee for the show, but as a judge. [Chron]”

For the latest on WEC 46, check out our MMA Rumors section.