Referee Marc Goddard attacked by crazed fighter who refused to release choke on opponent at UAE Warriors

Referee Marc Goddard was involved in a physical confrontation with a fighter on Friday night which led to an instant disqualification.

Ahmad Al Darmaki thought he had secured a sensational submission victory at UAE Warriors 12 in his home country.

However, after refusing to release the rear naked choke on his downed opponent, it quickly turned ugly.

Al Darmaki, who was at one point the only professional Emirati MMA fighter, mounted Bogdan Kirilenko in top control and duly took his back.

After locking in the choke, Kirilenko tapped the canvas to signal the fight was over in the first round and Goddard stepped in.

However, Al Darmaki kept his arm clenched against his helpless opponent’s windpipe and seemed reluctant to let go until the British referee stepped in.

The featherweight then decided to raise his hands to Goddard and pushed him back twice, before celebrating as if nothing had happened.

Respected MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani wrote on Twitter after watching the clip: “Great job by Goddard. Despicable behavior [sic] by Al Darmaki.

“Holds onto the choke way too long and then gets physical with the ref. Unacceptable behaviour [sic]. Should be DQ’d, suspended and fined.”