The main event of UFC 221 in Perth, Western Australia last night saw an absolutely devastating knock-out as Luke Rockhold was floored by a huge Yoel Romero shot.
Romero punished Rockhold's low guard with a bruising left hand over the top before landing one more swift blow to a legless Rockhold and the fight was over in the third round.
? Lights out. Goodnight. ?
Yoel Romero with a brutal highlight reel knockout of Luke Rockhold at #UFC221 ? pic.twitter.com/cwoT7eteL1
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) February 11, 2018
The former middleweight champion took several moments to gather himself before Romero went over to console his defeated opponent. In the aftermath of the fight, there was some criticism of Romero's ability to unload the second shot with a sense the referee may have been poorly positioned for any stoppage.
The referee for the contest was Scottish born Marc Goddard, who took to Twitter to respond to his critics tonight.
I keep a measured distance from Fighters, I never want them to feel crowded. You’ll notice Luke post up his left arm to sit up, it tells me cognitively he want to do something. Romero very quick for finish and I’m there. We must allow it to play, we are dealing with fractions. TY https://t.co/r7hCrzVk3q
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) February 11, 2018
Aren’t hindsight and replays fantastic? We have no such luxury in a split seconds call. Im offering insight my friend. I don’t have to, most don’t. This wasn’t a sustained/prolonged thing. We are talking and dealing with fractions of seconds. https://t.co/nejlGWf7MM
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) February 11, 2018
I know mate and thanks, but unbeknown to most I’m accessible as a ref to help educate the fans of our sport. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. Many will see what they want to, even after 100 replays. Im extremely happy with my calls. https://t.co/RETuL5e7kI
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) February 11, 2018
Goddard is recognised as one of the world's best referees and instantly intervened when the second, more serious uppercut landed. The primary criticism isn't his point of intervention but his spacing, as he had considerable ground to make up while Romero landed the killer blow.
That uppercut 😨
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) February 11, 2018
HOLY S*** .@YoelRomeroMMA came with the uppercut that knocked him back to the 5th grade. #UFC221
— Andrew Holbrook (@AndrewHolbrook) February 11, 2018
Goddard, who famously had a high-profile run-in with Conor McGregor during Bellator 187, deserves praise for his interaction with fans and the insight he provides with his explanations.
As for Romero, he was fined 30 percent of his show money for missing weight and after the fight initially feared a serious leg injury. However, his manager had downplayed such concerns. It is Rockhold's second defeat in three fights which may single a weight change for the American.
