Joe Rogan was quick to defend referee Marc Goddard, calling him `one of the best in the business,` after a quick stoppage at UFC 317.
Goddard, a veteran referee known for potentially early stoppages, had fans concerned he might cause controversy while overseeing the lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira.
However, during the second-to-last prelim fight at UFC 317, Goddard seemed to make the correct judgment.
According to Joe Rogan, Goddard intervened at the ideal moment when Jose Delgado stopped Hyder Amil via knee and punches on Saturday night.
Joe Rogan defends UFC 317 stoppage
Amil suffered his first professional loss, ending his perfect 11-0 record, with a quick 26-second knockout at UFC 317.
Delgado landed a powerful knee directly to Amil`s chin right at the beginning of the first round.
Follow-up ground strikes rendered Amil unresponsive before Goddard stopped the fight to prevent further damage.
Though the dazed fighter immediately protested, Rogan supported Goddard`s decision.
“Hyder Amil is in disbelief, but that was the correct call before he took any further punishment,” he said from the UFC 317 commentary booth.
“I mean, he’s protesting it now, but he just doesn’t understand. When he sees it again, he was most certainly out. He bounced back quickly because he’s in tremendous shape, but he would’ve taken a lot more punishment there.
“Watch this. Big shots, his arms went limp… He falls, he’s in deep, deep trouble.
“I mean, he’s limp there. Right there! And Marc Goddard, one of the best in the business, made the right call.”
Jose Delgado reacts to 26-second KO win
In his post-fight interview with Rogan, Delgado also defended the stoppage and then called for a fight at Noche UFC 3.
“He’s complaining because he’s a dog,” the 10-1 prospect said.
“Hyder Amil is an animal. I knew what kind of man I had in front of me, Joe Rogan.
“I gave everything to this. I surrendered to the process. This is my world, I wanna be the best in it.
“Noche UFC. William Gomis. That is the next step in greatness.
“Give me that, please!”
