On Nov. 12, 1993, Art Davie and Rorion Gracie introduced American audiences the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a strange contraption called the Octagon, and a sport that would go on to become known as mixed martial arts. The rest is history. "Big" John McCarthy didn't referee any of the fights that night -- that would wouldn't happen until four months later, at UFC 2 -- but he did play a key role in that groundbreaking event: he was the training partner for Royce Gracie, the first UFC champ. In part 2 of this FIGHT! Life series, "Big" John takes us behind the scenes of the night that changed sports history.

Produced and directed by Matthew Ross. Camera: Rick Lee. Assistant Camera: Diego Helguero and Anthony Williams. Edit: Ashley Cahill and Ryan Jackson-Healy. Music: Jacques Brautbar.