M2MMA Inc., a Dubai-based combat sports technology company, has appointed John McCarthy, one of mixed martial arts' most recognisable referees, to its advisory board to guide the development of artificial intelligence tools aimed at improving athlete safety.
McCarthy's connection to MMA stretches back to the sport's origins: he sparred with Royce Gracie at UFC 1, was recruited by UFC co-founder Rorion Gracie to serve as head referee, and was instrumental in drafting the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, the regulatory framework that governs professional competition worldwide.
At M2MMA, he will provide oversight for the company's research and development work and for M2Intel, an AI platform that analyses longitudinal athlete data to address weight-cutting protocols, training load management and traumatic brain injury prevention.
McCarthy will also advise on the design of hardware and wearable devices intended to capture real-time impact metrics during both training and live competition without interfering with an athlete's natural movement.
Jeff Robinson, chief executive of M2MMA, said: "John's experience isn't just deep, it's foundational."
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McCarthy joins an advisory board that includes Dr Michael Schwartz, co-chair of the ABC Medical Committee, the body responsible for medical standards in combat sports, and Michael Mazzulli, former president of the Association of Boxing Commissions.
M2MMA said it is integrating analytics, AI and blockchain technology to create a unified system for athlete care and fight data management.
The recap
- M2MMA appoints John McCarthy to its advisory board.
- M2Intel will use AI for trend analysis and safety.
- McCarthy will advise on R&D, hardware viability, competition.
