UFC Fight Night 137 from Sao Paulo, Brazil ended on a pretty intense note. Headliners Thiago Silva and Eryk Anders fought hard until the third round bell sounded, followed by Anders collapsing on the way back to his corner (watch it here). That ended the fight, and afterwards a chill sounding Eryk blamed the loss on cardio. But other fighters felt that maybe it was more the referee’s fault.
Here’s UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee’s take:
Damn @marcgoddard_uk you really stole that shit from @erykanders. Straight put him in position to take them elbows. I’m calling bullshit
— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) September 23, 2018
It didn’t take long for ref Goddard to respond to Lee,
Mr Lee both fighters returned to exact same position that I stop to replace the gum-shield, i.e. against the fence in over/under clinch. Would you rather I start with Mr Anders pressing position taken away? We can have our own opinions, we can’t have our own facts. I respect you. https://t.co/UDV5kObAJB
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) September 23, 2018
You can see the moment Lee is talking about here and make your own determination. Did Goddard restart them in the exact same position? Did Anders immediately slump down into the dangerous position that allowed Santos to elbow him into oblivion?
“Ya Boi” done passed out. Thiago “Marreta” Santos (19-6) outlasts and brutalizes Eryk Anders, rendering the former Alabama linebacker unable to continue at the end of the third. The 34-year-old is 6-1 in his last seven and has finished 14 of 19 wins, 13 by knockout. #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/xhuRMGfefM
— Tanuki Usman (@Hamderlei) September 23, 2018
Goddard also responded to others who felt Anders took illegal blows to the back of the head.
For the record being struck below the line of the top of the ears IS NOT a foul. A 2 inch line running centre from curve/crown of head down the spine is the foul area inc. entire rear (not side) of neck.
Also being struck directly behind the ear is NOT a foul.
Hope this helps
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) September 23, 2018
You’ll see Marretta throw some punches to Anders as he is face down. I don’t want the fight to be stopped on a foul so I shout to warn of punches close to that 2 inch centre line. He then switches to elbows. All elbows. perfectly legal.
Again I really do hope this helps. https://t.co/JzfbOmv3Wk
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) September 23, 2018
What do you think of Goddard’s calls in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo?