When a giant UFC most important occasion is about to start, you’re assured to see certainly one of only a few of the recognizable prime officers within the sport standing between the fighters.
Marc Goddard has been one of many staple referees working within the sport for a while now and is a former ‘Referee of the Yr’ winner on the Annual MMA Awards.
Regardless of being such a distinguished fixture of the most important occasions of the 12 months, there are some events the place the Brit has determined to take away himself from the equation for numerous causes.
Having been in and across the sport for such a very long time, it’s solely pure that you just’re going to construct connections with sure fighters or groups that will impact your capacity to stay neutral.
Marc Goddard Says You By no means Have & By no means Will See Him Referee A Leon Edwards Combat
Throughout a current and uncommon podcast look, Goddard spoke about certainly one of his solely exceptions to officiating a battle on the Overdogs Podcast.
He famous that followers won’t ever see him be the third man within the cage when a present UFC champion is in motion due to his ties to that fighter.
With that in thoughts, you possibly can anticipate to see a reputation like Herb Dean or Jason Herzog within the Octagon for the upcoming most important occasion of UFC 304…
“Leon Edwards, you’ve by no means noticed me referee Leon Edwards within the UFC and also you by no means will. Why? As a result of I used to be Leon Edwards’ first coach in MMA means again when, when he was simply an newbie. However once more, the widespread sense component for me…you by no means noticed me referee him and also you by no means will as a result of we’ll simply maintain it out the way in which.
“I simply don’t need any problem and I don’t wish to be put in a predicament the place I’m making a name that might go towards him, so it’s each methods.”
Goddard additionally revealed that there are different eventualities that may result in him turning down a selected project.
He gave the instance of how he withdrew from being the official for Israel Adesanya’s rematch with Alex Pereira final April in Miami.
Goddard gave the explanation that after Adesanya wasn’t glad with the stoppage of his first encounter with Pereira 5 months prior, the official didn’t need this to have any influence on the challenger within the second battle.
