UFC On Fox 30 which went down last night (Sat., July 28, 2018) from inside Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the main headliner saw some controversy when Eddie Alvarez was in the full mount position he landed an illegal 12-6 elbow on the shoulder of fellow lightweight Dustin Poirier that’s when referee Marc Goddard stood up and ordered standup due to infarction.
The rule is in the books that any form of a 12-6 elbow, not just to the head, is an illegal strike. Referee Goddard made a right decision to have the two fighters standup and Poirier took advantage of a scene that leads to technical knockout win over Eddie.
Marc Goddard’s decision received quite a bit of backlash which changed the fight results. Among them is UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman, a friend of Alvarez’s wasn’t agree with the decision and used some profane word for Goddard.
“Fuck that referee. I will not fight if that referee is calling my fight. He cost Eddie that fight smfh.”
Marc you’re not wrong. Obviously I’m overacting because that’s my brother Ed. There were a few questionable strikes on both ends. You still do a fine job as a ref.
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) July 29, 2018
Mr Usman, I understand that emotion is a factor. Mr Alvarez held the fence, clawed the ear & then threw the 12-6 elbow that is why the positional advantage was taken away. As for your request, no problem that’s easily arranged. I wish you all the best in your career. Thank you. https://t.co/x3GoCEkLqi
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) July 29, 2018
Referee Marc Goddard responded back with a classy reply to Usman saying former UFC champ Alvarez threw illegal strikes on a shoulder, grabbed the fence and illegally put his finger in Poirier’s ear. In the end, he wishes him well and thanking him.
Goddard: “Mr Usman, I understand that emotion is a factor. Mr Alvarez held the fence, clawed the ear & then threw the 12-6 elbow that is why the positional advantage was taken away. As for your request, no problem that’s easily arranged. I wish you all the best in your career. Thank you.”
Umman: “Marc you’re not wrong. Obviously I’m overacting because that’s my brother Ed. There were a few questionable strikes on both ends. You still do a fine job as a ref.”
No doubt, Alvarez did throw illegal elbows on his opponent and Marc Goddard made the right call because it lies in the MMA rulebook.
