Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus du Plessis referee called out by MMA legend for UFC 319 main event mistake

Demetrious Johnson calls out UFC 319 referee

Marc Goddard ordered the UFC 319 headliners back to their feet on multiple occasions during their 25-minute fight.

As a result, Dricus du Plessis did get the chance to mount a late comeback attempt in round five.

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson insists that’s an opportunity that ‘DDP’ shouldn’t have had.

‘Mighty Mouse’ called out Goddard’s major mistake when he recapped Chimaev vs. Du Plessis on his YouTube channel.

“I think the ref shouldn’t have given DDP the chance to get back to his feet,” Johnson said.

“Even though fans were [booing], I think it was a big L from the ref.

“But the ref’s just trying to make it an exciting fight. That’s what he’s trying to do.”

A section of fans also voiced their frustrations with Goddard standing up Chimaev and Du Plessis.

However, many other people agreed with his attempts to make the UFC 319 main event more interesting.

Fans slam another UFC 319 referee

Referee Jason Herzog was scolded again by fans after a quick stoppage during UFC 319 prelims.

Alex Hernandez dropped Chase Hooper with less than five seconds left of the first round of their fight.

After a few follow-up punches, Herzog stepped in to wave things off somewhat prematurely. Hooper was still conscious, trying to protect himself, when the referee intervened with two seconds left on the clock.

Herzog was recently criticized by fans, pundits, and fellow fighters for allowing a UFC record six official knockdowns from Steven Nguyen on opponent Mohammad Yahya at UFC Abu Dhabi.

The UFC mainstay’s performance came under fire from California State Athletic Commission head Andy Foster, who reached out to the veteran referee to discuss the incident.

Herzog’s late stoppage prompted UFC play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik to issue a fiery message to Herzog on his podcast, hinting at the absence of promoting fighter safety in the fight. 

That stoppage came the week after Herzog’s early stoppage in the Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeria fight was called into question.