“You are going to p*ss off the other half,” Marc Goddard gets honest about receiving hate over controversial stoppages
Referees get immense hatred from the fanbase once a decision goes wrong from their part.
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Marc Goddard responds to getting online hate from fights fans (via IMAGO/YouTube)
Marc Goddard is one of the most prominent referees in the UFC. However, the referee has drawn a lot of controversy in addition to popularity. The officials’ role becomes crucial when two combatants attempt to destroy each other within the octagon. They are in charge of maintaining the fight’s fairness and breaking it up should things get out of control.
Marc Goddard recently did an interview with Mixx Sports Media. The referee answered questions regarding the online hate he gets frequently. Referees receiving criticism remain a normal part of the sport. Referees’ decisions during a match frequently elicit strong reactions from opposing viewpoints from the fight fans. However, Goddard revealed how he felt about it. This is what he said:
It's part of the job, unfortunately. People need to understand that when you get to the level. Any level on any sport at the top..as a referee. Sometimes your decisions, you’re gonna please half of the room and you're gonna pi** of the other half. It's a sad reality.Marc Goddard via Mixx Sports Media
Goddard commented on the infamous stoppage at UFC 295. The fight in question featured the light heavyweight title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira. During the fight, the Brazilian dropped Prochazka in the second round, and Goddard called off the fight upon further strikes. However, fight fans and many UFC professionals showed their dissatisfaction towards Goddard for the controversial stoppage. Nevertheless, Prochazka felt the stoppage was correct.
The referee mentioned that contrary to many, he believed that the stoppage was fair. Goddard remains aware that his decisions inside the octagon might not go well with a certain fan base. But that will not stop him from taking the best calls during the fights.
Merab Dvalishivili expresses concerns over Marc Goddard’s officiating
Prominent bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili recently discussed his concerns about Marc Goddard, the UFC referee. The fighter thought Goddard often ended fights too soon. For instance, the title fight between Sean O’Malley and Aljamin Sterling at UFC 292.
‘The Machine’ spoke about it in an interview on The MMA Hour. The bantamweight contender shared his worries about Goddard possibly officiating one of his fights. This is what he stated:
Every time I see [Goddard]... I'm only scared of God, and every time I see [Goddard] --- I panic, you know? I saw some other fights, and every time something happens he jumps around, he wants to jump in and stop.Merab Dvalishvili via MMA Hour
The Georgian fighter understood the significance of Goddard’s responsibility to take care of the safety of fighters. However, Dvalishvili revealed that as a fighter, he was ready to die inside the octagon. He deemed it better than winning and not being able to continue because of the referee.
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Nidhin Shibu
(2536 Articles Published)