"Big" John McCarthy recently shared his two cents on Marc Goddard's decision to step down from officiating Leon Edwards' fights, praising it as a wise and commendable move.
During a recent interview on the Overdogs Podcast, Goddard delved into the complexities of refereeing MMA fights, particularly how personal relationships with fighters can complicate his role. The veteran referee used Edwards as a prime example, explaining that he will never officiate the reigning UFC welterweight champion bouts.
Goddard revealed that he was "Rocky's" first MMA coach and wants to avoid any accusations of bias towards his former tutee, highlighting his commitment to maintaining impartiality.
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The Brit referee has a storied career in MMA, boasting over two decades of experience both officiating and fighting. Goddard is a highly esteemed referee who has officiated numerous marquee bouts in the UFC and other top promotions.
McCarthy, a titan in the realm of MMA refereeing, hailed Goddard's decision and offered his own insights on the perspectives of officiating a close friend's fight...
McCarthy Endorses Decision to Avoid Officiating a Friend's Fight
During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast with former UFC lightweight contender Josh Thomson, McCarthy recounted his encounters with the unique challenges of officiating fights involving fighters with whom he shared close personal bonds, while praising Goddard for his stance.
It's the right decision," McCarthy said. "The real decision is that you try to take yourself out of situations that can put you into an area where someone can make a claim. And claims don't mean sh*t, but they're going to make them.
"Big John" revealed that he had a close friendship with MMA legends Royce Gracie and Tim Sylvia, yet found himself officiating their bouts due to commission mandates.
The former UFC referee admitted he was initially reluctant to oversee those fights but couldn't decline. He consistently made it a point to inform the commissions and MMA promotion about his camaraderie with the fighters.
You have to just be honest and say, 'Can you be fair?' You're always going to get someone who's gonna say you're not fair."