Marc Goddard Comments on Late Perry vs. Roberts Stoppage

Last Saturday, on the Fight Pass Prelims of UFC 204, undefeated welterweight Mike Perry sent England’s Danny Robert’s careening to the mat with a third-round knee and a followup punch. Though Roberts was clearly out cold, Perry then chased him to the canvas, where he landed a series of additional blows, while referee Marc Goddard watched on as if his mind was altogether elsewhere.

In the wake of this refereeing slip-up, Goddard unsurprisingly received a good deal of negative feedback. On Sunday evening, the experienced referee took to Twitter to address this backlash, and give his thoughts on the stoppage.

“I received a TON of messages last night,” Goddard said. “Many personal & insulting but I’m a big boy and it goes with the territory. Expected & accepted.”

“But know this,” he continued. “No one alive is more self critical, self analytical and a harsher reviewer of me than me. It’s been a long time since I’ve ever felt so reflective, but in an emotional sport my heart’s so invested & I make it my business to teach acceptance honesty & humility. So it’s in my life blood to look back. We deal with inches, seconds, heat beats & emotion so high I could never put it into words.”

“Last night presented me with an instance that in truth in any other night on earth I’m acting sooner and that’s the truth,” Goddard continued. “Thank you all.”

See Goddard’s full, Twitter response to the Perry-Roberts stoppage backlash below:

I received a TON of messages last night. Many personal & insulting but I'm a big boy and it goes with the territory. Expected & accepted.

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

But know this. No one alive is more self critical, self analytical and a harsher reviewer of me than me. It's been a long time since

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

I've ever felt so reflective but in an emotional sport my hearts so invested & I make it my business to teach acceptance honesty & humility

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

So its in my life blood to look back. We deal with inches, seconds, heat beats & emotion so high I could never put it into words.

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

In 1000's upon 1000's of fights around the globe for more years than most my upmost priority, my heartfelt duty is to protect the fighters

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

Whilst never unduly robbing them such sacrifices they make I've been there on both ends. I love this sport more than I could put into words

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

And I would never shy away from something that, on any other night I'd have done differently. It breaks my heart to think a fighter has

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

Incurred even one shot they shouldn't have. This is such a world of could, should, would. It's not a game for everyone. It's unique.

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

The need for improvement, growth and acceptance remains continual – and I'll never stop giving these fighters what they truly deserve.

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

Last night presented me with an instance that in truth in any other night on earth I'm acting sooner and that's the truth. Thank you all.

— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) October 9, 2016

Evidently, Goddard is not taking this questionable stoppage lightly, and is striving to avoid any similar slips in the future. How did you feel about the Perry vs. Roberts stoppage? Sound off, PENN nation!