The jiu-jitsu mats at the IBJJF Master Worlds in Las Vegas witnessed unexpected drama this weekend as John “Shrek” McPhee, a controversial veteran who previously appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, found himself disqualified in what many observers are calling a questionable referee decision.
McPhee, who has recently faced intense scrutiny over allegations regarding his military service record, was competing in the masters division when the controversial incident occurred during his second round match. According to McPhee’s own account, he had dominated the first round, potentially scoring as many as 12 points with a dominant mount position.
The pivotal moment came when his opponent attempted defensive maneuvers from guard. “Guy kind of got pulled guard, tried for a triangle, tried for a crappy armbar, and then I kind of stood up with the armbar because he didn’t have nothing, and he let go,” McPhee explained in his post-match reflection.
What happened next sparked immediate controversy. As McPhee described it: “So I pushed his knees to his chest, I kind of slid down with him, and they DQ’d me for some type of slam, but I didn’t slam the guy, he let go. I didn’t do anything except for let him slide off my arm because he didn’t have an armbar.”
Video footage of the incident, which quickly circulated on social media, showed McPhee’s opponent releasing his grip and falling to the mat, with McPhee following the motion downward. The opponent’s reaction appeared theatrical to many observers, drawing comparisons to soccer players embellishing fouls.
The jiu-jitsu community’s response was swift and largely supportive of McPhee. Even Joe Rogan himself weighed in on social media, stating definitively: “That was not a slam.” The comment received over 2,400 likes, reflecting widespread agreement among viewers.
Multiple high-profile figures in the martial arts world echoed similar sentiments. UFC veteran Chris Weidman commented “Not a slam. BS,” while numerous black belts and experienced competitors expressed their disagreement with the referee’s decision.
One particularly detailed analysis came from someone who claimed to have “one of the best seats in the house,” describing how the opponent “opened his guard and started to fall, you just went with him. He decided to audition for an acting role right after which was pretty funny.”
Several competitors shared their own experiences with questionable disqualifications, with one noting: “The refs need to stop playing into competitors that flop and lessen the penalty for ‘slams’. It’s cheap and a complete disservice to the paying competitors.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, McPhee maintained a remarkably positive attitude about the experience. “Hey, I would say this, I had a great time today,” he reflected. “Look, that guy was just better, he played the game better, my hat’s off to him, but I’m going to learn how to play this game myself.”
His gracious response to what many viewed as an unfair decision earned praise from the community. “Your opponent has soccer player acting,” one observer noted, while another commented: “You sir did nothing wrong and looks like you were gracious to the decision. That truly makes you the champ.”
McPhee’s confidence remained unshaken despite the setback. “I will tell you this, I had that guy. I had it today,” he stated, indicating his intention to return to competition with a better understanding of the competitive landscape.
The controversy occurs at a particularly challenging time for McPhee, who has been dealing with serious questions about his military background raised by military community investigators. Multiple podcasts and military personnel have recently challenged various aspects of his claimed service record, creating additional scrutiny around his public appearances.
However, on the mats in Las Vegas, the focus remained purely on the athletic competition and what many saw as a disappointing end to what had been a dominant performance.
