Ireland's Kiefer Crosbie has publicly criticized referee Marc Goddard following a controversial decision in his UFC fight against Taiyilake Nueraji in China. The fight ended abruptly after Nueraji delivered an illegal knee to Crosbie while he was seated, leading to a two-point deduction but not disqualification.

Crosbie, 35, expressed his frustration on Instagram, stating, "How come I didn't get five minutes, Marc Goddard? Forty-five seconds I got and couldn't even see straight or remember what happened." He added, "Obviously I was going to continue because that's what fighters do, but to rush me back in while still concussed and confused is ridiculous - playing with my life."

Under the Unified Rules of MMA, which the UFC follows, the referee can restart the fight as soon as practical after a doctor assesses the fighter. Crosbie was given just under a minute to recover before being asked if he could continue. Despite being visibly concussed and bleeding, Crosbie nodded in agreement.

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and commentator Laura Sanko praised Goddard's handling of the situation, noting that Crosbie had the right to refuse to continue, which would have resulted in a disqualification win for him.

Crosbie's UFC career now hangs in the balance with three consecutive losses. His last victory in MMA was in 2023 outside the UFC. Despite the criticism, Crosbie acknowledged Goddard's reputation as one of the best referees in the sport but called the decision "horrendous."

The incident has sparked debate over the safety protocols in MMA, particularly concerning the handling of concussed fighters. Crosbie's experience highlights the fine line referees must walk between enforcing rules and ensuring fighter safety.