Sports · Combat Sports · 3 hrs ago
Referee says Duncan was warned before UFC eye-poke penalty
Referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Christian Leroy Duncan after Duncan poked Brendan Allen in the eye during their UFC Vegas 122 main event in Las Vegas.
Goddard said he had warned Duncan in the first round about holding his fingers out toward Allen’s face.
He also reminded Duncan to be careful with his hands before the second round, when the eye poke happened.
Goddard said referees discuss rules with fighters before bouts, including the risk of eye pokes.
He said officials treat eye pokes as a priority but that changing habits built over many years is difficult.
The point deduction did not change the result: Allen submitted Duncan with a rear-naked choke in the final round.
Referee Marc Goddard said he warned Christian Leroy Duncan about outstretched fingers before deducting a point for an eye poke at UFC Vegas 122.
Goddard said he cautioned Duncan in the first round and reminded him to be careful with his hands before the second round.
The penalty came after Duncan poked Brendan Allen in the eye in the second round.
Allen later submitted Duncan with a rear-naked choke in the final round, and the point deduction did not affect the scoring outcome.
Goddard said officials treat eye-poke prevention and enforcement as a priority, while acknowledging that changing fighters’ habits is difficult.
- Who
- Referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Christian Leroy Duncan after an eye poke against Brendan Allen.
- What
- Goddard said he had warned Duncan about outstretched fingers before taking action.
- When
- At UFC Vegas 122, held on Saturday; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
- Why
- Goddard said he took definitive action after Duncan poked Allen in the eye, following earlier warnings.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
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.
Just know that both myself and my colleagues know it is a firm priority to address & fix this.
Goddard warned Duncan about outstretched fingers toward Allen’s face.
Goddard asked Duncan to be careful and mindful of his hands.
Duncan poked Allen in the eye, and Goddard deducted a point.
Allen submitted Duncan with a rear-naked choke.
- Referee
- Marc Goddard
- Fighters
- Christian Leroy Duncan and Brendan Allen
- Event
- UFC Vegas 122
- Venue
- Meta Apex, Las Vegas
- Penalty
- One point deducted from Duncan for a second-round eye poke
- Result
- Allen submitted Duncan with a rear-naked choke in the final round
Sources
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