Referee Marc Goddard Posts Statement Re: Eye Poke to Daniel Cormier

Marc Goddard is widely regarded as being one of the best referees in mixed-martial-arts. But, the veteran official’s issued an apology to Daniel Cormier, for missing the eye poke the star took in round three.

Cormier says he couldn’t see out of his left eye

The former champ took on Stipe Miocic in the headliner of UFC 252, in what was a rubber match between the heavyweights. In round three of the entertaining battle, Miocic accidentally poked Cormier in his left eye.

After the bout, Cormier confirmed to Joe Rogan that his vision had been seriously compromised as a result of the eye poke (quote via MMA Junkie).

“I mean, look at my eye,” Cormier said. “I couldn’t even (expletive) see the rest of the fight. I can’t see anything out of my left eye.

It’s black. It is what it is. It doesn’t matter. I told Marc (Goddard) he poked me, but he said he thought it was a punch.

But after the fight he said, ‘Yeah, I saw it on the replay.’ I just can’t see out of my left eye. It doesn’t matter, though. Whatever. It is what it is.”

Goddard apologizes

Following the bout, which saw Miocic defend the heavyweight title via a unanimous decision, Goddard shared out this statement:

“I practice what I preach and as a man I stand tall and head on. If you accept plaudits then you must with mistakes too, that’s proof that you are listening, honest and implore improvement.

Rough with the smooth, acceptance and ownership. Immediately after the fight when seeing the replay I apologized to Daniel and his team and I do so publicly and unreservedly for missing what I shouldn’t have – but I cannot call what I do not see.

I don’t have replays and multiple angles, it’s a one shot take in real time. I cannot convey just how much I have both lived and loved this sport for the past 20 years.

I truly appreciate all who understand.”

Would the fight have unfolded differently if Goddard had seen the foul? Maybe? Cormier would have been given some time to recover, and it’s possible the poke would have cost Miocic a point (the latter would still have won if a point was deducted).

But, at the end of the day, Goddard’s miss probably didn’t impact the final request. A debate can be had, however, over how and if the poke itself, played a role in the fight’s final rounds.

More recently, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that Cormier sustained a torn cornea in the fight.