November 2, 2024

UFC 226: Judges, referees selected for Miocic vs. Cormier, Holloway vs. Ortega

Stipe Miocic fights Daniel Cormier at UFC 226.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

A familiar face will be the third man in the cage when UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocicand light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier meet at UFC 226.

Veteran referee Marc Goddard was unanimously selected to oversee the July 7 superfight Thursday at a meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission.

In addition, commission officials selected a trio of Las Vegas regulars to judge the bout: Dave Hagen, Chris Lee, and Glenn Trowbridge.

As for the co-main event, referee Herb Dean drew the call to oversee the featherweight title fight between UFC champion Max Holloway and undefeated contender Brian Ortega.

The judges for that bout will be another threesome of Las Vegas regulars: Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato, and Junichiro Kamijo.

Goddard and Dean will be paid $1,900 for their work, while the six judges will each earn stipends of $1,600, per commission officials.

UFC 226 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Miocic is the most decorated heavyweight champion in UFC history, having defended his title a record-breaking three times since his reign began in mid-2016.

Cormier, who holds an undefeated 13-0 record at heavyweight, is attempting to become only the second fighter in UFC history to hold two belts concurrently.

The two champions served as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 27.

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