Marc Goddard has raised eyebrows in a sport where controversy is as common as knockouts. The veteran MMA referee recently came to the defense of much-maligned MMA judges. Goddard claimed that MMA judging is better than it’s ever been despite public perception.
Marc Goddard is known for his no-nonsense approach in the octagon. He shared his thoughts on judging. Goddard believed that this era was the best MMA judging era ever in the history of MMA. This statement came amidst a sea of questionable scorecards and fan outrage in several recent years.Â
Despite what people think, judging now and MMA officiating now is better than it’s ever been. Yes, you’re going to get contentious decisions, and yes, you’re gonna get — but one of the biggest problems we have with MMA judging is misconception. People hear things in certain ways, and they just dive into a rabbit hole with them.
Marc Goddard via Overdogs Podcast
Goddard’s perception stems from his extensive experience in the sport. He’s not just a referee, he’s also a judge and an educator in MMA officiating. His insider view provides a unique perspective on the judging process. Goddard acknowledged that contentious calls are part of the game and happen every once in a while.
But this doesn’t stop the fans from swarming the judges for bad decisions. After all, controversial decisions seem to pop up at every event. Take the fight between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. The scorecards were very controversial, to say the least. Other examples include Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2, Strickland vs. Paulo Costa, and many more.
Marc Goddard explains the reasoning for not officiating Israel Adesanya’s second fight against Alex Pereira
Referees are often unsung heroes in MMA. But sometimes, they make headlines for unexpected reasons. Enter Marc Goddard, a veteran referee. Goddard had earlier stated that he never officiated Leon Edwards‘s fights. But, he recently dropped a bombshell about another high-profile fight he didn’t officiate.
Marc Goddard reveals reason for not officiating Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 (via MMA Mania)Goddard revealed he personally requested not to referee the rematch between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. This fight, held in Miami, was a pivotal moment in both fighters’ careers. The referee’s decision might seem odd at first glance. But Goddard’s reasoning shows a depth of consideration that might surprise many fans.Â
‘When Israel Adesanya fought Alex Pereira for the second time in Miami, I specifically requested not to do that fight. I did the first fight [which Adesanya lost]. The reason I requested not to do the fight was because I was thinking about Izzy… This was his night, it was about him.
Marc Goddard via Overdogs Podcast
Goddard was thinking about Israel Adesanya, the fighter who had lost his first encounter. Goddard had officiated the first bout between Adesanya and Pereira. That fight ended with Pereira claiming a dramatic standing knockout victory. This was a controversial stoppage as Adesaya had claimed that he could have continued.
