Referee Marc Goddard addresses MMA’s eye poke problem after deducting a point from UFC Vegas 122 headliner

Marc Goddard has received widespread praise for his firm handling of the UFC Vegas 122 main event.

The veteran referee took a point from Christian Leroy Duncan when he poked Brendan Allen in the eye during their fight on Saturday night.

Ultimately, the point deduction didn’t matter, as Allen secured a submission win in the fifth round.

Marc Goddard used the moment to educate MMA fans about his thought process and the sport’s eye poke problem when he took to social media on Sunday.

The Englishman shared a lengthy X post that explained the process that led to him deducting a point from Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122.

Goddard also highlighted the difficulties referees face while attempting to solve MMA’s eye poke problem.

“I’d like to offer some clarity on this, as I believe it’s a teachable moment & gives insight into what we are doing as officials to overcome certain obstacles,” the referee wrote.

“As referees, we go over the rules one-to-one with fighters in the back before the fight begins, here we specifically cover potential eye pokes. If you watch you will hear me warn CLD in round one for outstretched fingers toward the face. I then again, before the start of the next round, ask him to be careful & mindful of the hands. It is then when the eye poke occurs do I take definitive action.

“CLD is a credit to the sport of MMA & an exceptional athlete. There’s so much more, mechanically to addressing eye pokes in MMA both preventatively (before the action) and correctively (after the action) it is very hard to expect an athlete to change 20 years of training & habit with a few minutes of conversation pre-fight.

“Just know that both myself and my colleagues know it is a firm priority to address & fix this.

“All respect to the athletes & our sport. Thank you.”

I’d like to offer some clarity on this as I believe it’s a teachable moment & gives insight into what we are doing as officials to overcome certain obstacles. As referees we go over the rules one to one with fighters in the back before the fight begins, here we specifically cover potential eyes pokes. If you watch you will hear me warn CLD in round one for outstretched fingers toward the face. I then again, before the start of the next round, ask him to be careful & mindful of the hands. It is then when the eye poke occurs do I take definitive action. CLD is a credit to the sport of MMA & an exceptional athlete. There’s so much more, mechanically to addressing eye pokes in MMA both preventatively (before the action) and correctively (after the action) it is very hard to expect an athlete to change 20 years of training & habit with a few minutes of conversation pre fight. Just know that both myself and my colleagues know it is a firm priority to address & fix this. All respect to the athletes & our sport. Thank you.

Christian Leroy Duncan made no mention of his point deduction when he addressed his UFC Vegas 122 defeat.

The 31-year-old middleweight contender seems laser-focused on returning to the gym and winning ways as soon as possible.

“Thankful for the experiences that carry us forward,” Duncan wrote on Instagram.

“Nothing Changes. The fire is too bright to dampen.

“The pursuit continues, back to work.”surprise