marcgoddard_uk on Instagram

MMA referee Marc Goddard has explained his decision to take a point from main eventer Christian Leroy Duncan last weekend.

In the main event of UFC Vegas 122, Christian Leroy Duncan was unable to overcome Brendan Allen as he fell to a submission defeat in the final round of their encounter. In the fight itself, CLD was handed a point deduction due to an eye poke.

RELATED: Christian Leroy Duncan keeps vibes high despite submission loss to Brendan Allen: “The fire is too bright to dampen”

Some questioned the nature of this point deduction, indicating that Marc Goddard hadn’t given Christian Leroy Duncan enough warning about his conduct before opting to take a point.

In a post on social media, Goddard had the following to say about the controversy.

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.

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 11, 2026

Marc Goddard on Christian Leroy Duncan

“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.”

What should be next for CLD in the UFC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

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