Sports · Combat Sports · 2 hrs ago
Referee explains point deduction for eye poke at UFC Vegas 122
Referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Christian Leroy Duncan during the UFC Vegas 122 main event on Saturday.
Duncan had poked Brendan Allen in the eye after Goddard warned him about outstretched fingers toward the face in the first round.
Goddard said he also reminded Duncan to be careful before the next round.
Allen went on to win by submission in the fifth round, so the deduction did not affect the result.
Goddard said eye pokes are a problem that officials are working to prevent and address.
He added that changing habits built over many years is difficult with only a brief pre-fight conversation.
Duncan did not mention the deduction in his response to the loss and said he was thankful for the experiences that would carry him forward.
Referee Marc Goddard explained why he deducted a point from Christian Leroy Duncan after an eye poke at UFC Vegas 122.
Goddard said he had warned Duncan in the first round about extending his fingers toward the face.
He said he also reminded Duncan to be careful with his hands before the next round.
Brendan Allen won the main event by submission in the fifth round, so the deduction did not affect the result.
Goddard said preventing and correcting eye pokes is a priority for him and his fellow officials.
- Who
- Referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from Christian Leroy Duncan during his fight with Brendan Allen.
- What
- Goddard explained the deduction after Duncan poked Allen in the eye.
- When
- The fight took place on Saturday night; Goddard explained his decision on Sunday.
- Where
- UFC Vegas 122. The article does not state the event’s location.
- Why
- Goddard said he took definitive action after the eye poke, following an earlier warning and a reminder to be careful with his hands.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
As referees, we go over the rules one-to-one with fighters in the back before the fight begins, here we specifically cover potential eye pokes.
If you watch you will hear me warn CLD in round one for outstretched fingers toward the face.
It is then when the eye poke occurs do I take definitive action.
Thankful for the experiences that carry us forward
Goddard said referees review the rules with fighters, including the rules on potential eye pokes.
Goddard warned Duncan about extending his fingers toward the face.
Goddard reminded Duncan to be careful and mindful of his hands.
Duncan poked Allen in the eye, and Goddard deducted a point; Allen later won by submission in the fifth round.
Goddard posted an explanation of his decision on social media.
- Referee
- Marc Goddard
- Fighters
- Christian Leroy Duncan and Brendan Allen
- Event
- UFC Vegas 122
- Penalty
- One point deducted from Duncan
- Result
- Allen won by fifth-round submission
- Explanation posted
- Sunday, October 11, 2026
Sources
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