Marc Goddard (photo via IMMAF)

By FCF Staff

Renowned referee Marc Goddard has posted a statement, in which he apologized for missing the serious eye poke Daniel Cormier took in the UFC 252 headliner.

Cormier was on the receiving end of an accidental, eye poke from heavyweight champ, Stipe Miocic in round three of their bout. Goddard did not halt the action, however, after the foul.

Afterward, the former champ said he couldn’t see out of his left eye for the remainder of the fight, due to the eye poke.

Goddard has since apologized to Cormier and his team for missing the incident.

“I practice what I preach and as a man I stand tall and head on. If you accept plaudits then you must with mistakes too, that’s proof that you are listening, honest and implore improvement. Rough with the smooth, acceptance and ownership. Immediately after the fight when seeing the replay I apologized to Daniel and his team and I do so publicly and unreservedly for missing what I shouldn’t have – but I cannot call what I do not see. I don’t have replays and multiple angles, it’s a one shot take in real time. I cannot convey just how much I have both lived and loved this sport for the past 20 years. I truly appreciate all who understand.”

Acceptance. pic.twitter.com/JMNjKPzURz

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) August 16, 2020