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Sean O’Malley coach Tim Welch reveals why referee warned him during UFC 292 headliner

Moments before Sean O’Malley delivered a perfectly timed counter right hand that made him a world champion, his coach, Tim Welch, was given a stern warning by referee Marc Goddard. ‘Sugar’ scored the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career on August 19, landing a highlight-reel-worthy knockout against Aljamain Sterling in the second round […]

Moments before Sean O’Malley delivered a perfectly timed counter right hand that made him a world champion, his coach, Tim Welch, was given a stern warning by referee Marc Goddard.

‘Sugar’ scored the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career on August 19, landing a highlight-reel-worthy knockout against Aljamain Sterling in the second round of their UFC 292 headliner. But moments before the epic knockout blow landed, O’Malley’s longtime coach and podcast partner, Tim Welch was reprimanded by the presiding referee.

Many fans were left confused as to what Welch was doing off-camera that garnered the referee’s attention, but in a recent MiddleEasy exclusive interview with James Lynch, Welch revealed the reason.

“I just was talking to Aljo, because I knew in Aljo’s last three fights, he pressures people until they kick,” Welch said. “And when they kick, he catches the kick and runs them into the fence. Cory Sandhagen, TJ Dillashaw, some of his fights he does that.

I just wanted to remind him of Marlon Moraes… a ‘Marlon Moraes’ is coming, I wanted to do something to hesitate him from coming forward so hard and taking such shots. I wanted to freeze him up a little bit. It might’ve been worth it, might not have, but [Marc Goddard] was just saying ‘Don’t talk to Aljo’” (h/t MMA News).

Maybe it worked. Maybe it didn’t. But we all know what happened roughly 60 seconds later.

Fresh off his big title win, Sean O’Malley is already looking toward his first UFC title defense. Determined to return to the Octagon in December for UFC 296, ‘Sugar’ has his sights set on a clash with the only man to defeat him under the UFC banner, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. No official announcements have been made as O’Malley is currently nursing a rib injury sustained during the UFC 292 main event, but all signs currently point to O’Malley vs. ‘Chito’ running it back later this year.

Colby Covington again slams Marc Goddard in grudge held after UFC 245: ‘The coward ref, who’s anti-Brexit’

Former UFC interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington, is still not over Marc Goddard’s referring performance in his first fight against Kamaru Usman. In December of 2019, Usman and Covington went to war in the main event of UFC 245, creating an instant classic. After what was a highly contested battle, Usman would stop ‘Chaos’ in […]

Former UFC interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington, is still not over Marc Goddard’s referring performance in his first fight against Kamaru Usman.

In December of 2019, Usman and Covington went to war in the main event of UFC 245, creating an instant classic. After what was a highly contested battle, Usman would stop ‘Chaos’ in the firth round of the fight after dropping him.

Covington has always disputed this stoppage, as well as other calls including Usman appearing to fake being struck by a low blow.

Colby Covington claims he was ‘cheated’

Continuing on with his usual shtick, Covington slammed Goddard for his refereeing performance, as well at his political views. The 35-year-old even claims that he was ‘cheated out of a win, and the undisputed welterweight title.

“I think that’s probably the fight that I want the most, because I know I was cheated out of those fights,” Colby Covington said. “The first fight, I kick [Usman] in the liver…He calls the nut shot. He takes a five-minute break, he gets a five-minute break to recover. I’m freaking out, losing my energy, not even concentrating on the fight, ’cause I thought I won the fight.” (h/t MMA News)

“He was ready to shut down, the coward ref – who’s anti-Brexit, Marc Goddard,” Covington continued. “Guy hates America, hates frickin’ everything I stand for, for conservative values. So of course the guy’s gonna rig it and call the bad, fake fouls against me. The guy’s poking me in the eyes, and the fight just keeps going. I was cheated out of the first fight.”

Covington is set to take on Leon Edwards for his 170lb title, rumoured to be taking place on the UFC 295 card in November.

Colby Covington does Q&A

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Marc Goddard defends stoppage of Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya at UFC 281; ‘I wouldn’t change a thing’

MMA referee Marc Goddard stands by his stoppage of the UFC 281 main event between Alex Pereria and Israel Adesanya. Pereira shocked the world when he knocked out ‘The Last Stylebender’ in the fifth round of their November 12th main event at Madison Square Garden, capturing the UFC middleweight championship in the process. With just […]

MMA referee Marc Goddard stands by his stoppage of the UFC 281 main event between Alex Pereria and Israel Adesanya.

Pereira shocked the world when he knocked out ‘The Last Stylebender’ in the fifth round of their November 12th main event at Madison Square Garden, capturing the UFC middleweight championship in the process. With just minutes left in the contest, Pereira pressed the panic button and delivered a barrage of strikes on Adesanya, rocking the former world champion in the process. With Adesanya unable to escape the danger or return fire, Marc Goddard stepped in and called for the stoppage.

‘Stylebender’ immediately protested the call, believing he was still actively defending and in no real danger. Fans were seemingly split on the call with some calling it premature while others felt Marc Goddard did the right thing by saving Adesanya from having his lights inevitably turned off.

Marc Goddard Would Make the Same Decision ’11 Times Out of 10′

Appearing at the World MMA Awards, Marc Goddard briefly spoke with MMA Junkie who asked the highly respected referee about his decision in retrospect.

“I feel very good,” Goddard stated. “Israel, I think he’s a great guy. I think he was a fantastic champion. I’m not just saying it because I’m here. I like the guy a lot. I like all the fighters. That’s my job, I’m down the line, and if I done that fight again, 11 times out of 10 I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m very comfortable with my actions, and the people who know me will know I’m my harshest critic.

“It’s a very fine line. We don’t get second takes, reverse angles, etc. People find it weird when we say we’re there to protect the fighters when they knock hell’s bells out of each other for 25 minutes. … At the end of the day, my job is to act instinctually and correctly to protect the guys. It was an amazing fight. Congratulations to Alex, all the respect in the world to Izzy. I’m happy with what I did.”

Heading into the final round, Israel Adesanya was up 39-37 on all three scorecards.

Nathaniel Wood: Marc Goddard Saved My Life

UFC featherweight Nathaniel Wood has recalled the crucial part that renowned MMA referee Marc Goddard played in shaping his successful career in the sport. There aren’t many tougher jobs in mixed martial arts than that of officiating, with refere…

Continue Reading Nathaniel Wood: Marc Goddard Saved My Life at MMA News.

Referee Marc Goddard Releases Statement On Adesanya/Pereira Stoppage

Referee Marc Goddard has spoken out for the first time on his decision to stop Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 281. The UFC 281 middleweight title headliner between Adesanya and Pereira came to a stunning halt as Pereira finished Adesanya in Ro…

Continue Reading Referee Marc Goddard Releases Statement On Adesanya/Pereira Stoppage at MMA News.

Marc Goddard Clears The Air On Nate Diaz’s UFC 279 Fight Antics

Referee Marc Goddard has explained why he didn’t severely intervene during Nate Diaz’s in-fight theatrics against Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Diaz and Ferguson fought in the UFC 279 main event last Saturday in Las Vegas. The fight that arguab…

Continue Reading Marc Goddard Clears The Air On Nate Diaz’s UFC 279 Fight Antics at MMA News.