Alvey Refused Fights Refereed by Goddard
Sam Alvey expressed opposition to officiating decisions made by Marc Goddard following a series of losses.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Sam Alvey announced his refusal to participate in future fights officiated by Marc Goddard after suffering losses to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Jimmy Crute. These decisions were voiced during a period leading up to his UFC on ESPN 4 appearance in San Antonio on July 20, 2019.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the significant impact officiating decisions have on a professional fighter's career trajectory and mental approach. Alvey sought to step back and decompress following recent defeats to reassess his path toward the top 10 rankings and a title shot.
Sam Alvey compiled 19 total career knockouts and reached a peak ranking of 11. His opponent, Klidson Abreu, entered their professional career in 2011 with a record of 14-2 and a resume featuring 10 submissions and 4 knockouts.
The players
Sam Alvey
A professional mixed martial artist who has maintained a high frequency of competition throughout his career.
Marc Goddard
A veteran mixed martial arts referee who oversees bouts for major promotions including the UFC.
Klidson Abreu
A Brazilian professional fighter who entered his UFC stint with a background involving 10 career submissions.
The details
Alvey specifically contested refereeing calls where Goddard stopped his bouts against Nogueira while he attempted a takedown and against Crute while he remained in a defensive position. Following these events, Alvey aimed to compete in two additional fights before the year ended to regain momentum.
Timeline
In 2010, Sam Alvey suffered a submission loss to Gerald Meerschaert.
Klidson Abreu began his professional fighting career in 2011.
Sam Alvey lost by TKO to Derek Brunson in 2015.
In September 2018, Sam Alvey lost to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
In February 2019, Sam Alvey lost to Jimmy Crute.
Season Trajectory
This dispute marks a departure from typical fighter-referee relations and complicates Alvey's efforts to reach the top 10 rankings. His decision to pause and pivot after his losses suggests a shift in his management strategy to secure a future championship opportunity.
The refusal to fight under a specific referee creates potential scheduling conflicts for future UFC events involving Alvey. Fans tracking his path to a top 10 ranking must now account for these administrative demands on his remaining yearly bout schedule.
The takeaway
Fighters often use periods of defeat to re-evaluate their professional support structures and officiating preferences. Establishing clear boundaries regarding technical disputes can be a critical step for athletes looking to reset their competitive trajectory.
Further reading
For more on the latest matchups and fighter rankings, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Combat Press.
