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Gaethje's Referee Gripes: 'Protect You' Duty
24 Jun
Summary
- Gaethje criticized referee's reaction to eye poke during Chandler fight.
- He stated referees' main job is to protect fighters from harm.
- Gaethje became lightweight champion after defeating Ilia Topuria.
UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje recently detailed his critical views on refereeing during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. Gaethje, who became champion after defeating Ilia Topuria earlier this month, focused on a past matchup against Michael Chandler.
He explained that during the fight with Chandler, an accidental eye poke occurred. Gaethje expressed dissatisfaction with the referee's response, feeling he was not adequately protected or given sufficient time to recover. Gaethje asserted that referees are primarily responsible for fighter safety.
The champion's comments shed light on his reputation for being hard on officials, stemming from instances where he feels standards are not met. Despite the controversy, Gaethje's career remains strong, holding 28 wins from 33 professional fights.
