Ref Marc Goddard explains Jiri Prochazka’s taps during UFC 275 fight with Glover Teixeira

In at least one moment, newly minted UFC light heavyweight champ Jiri Prochazka appeared to submit – very lightly – to Glover Teixeira in the main event of UFC 275.

Not so fast, says Marc Goddard, who oversaw Saturday’s pay-per-view main event. The veteran referee said there’s a big difference between what Prochazka did — patting Teixeira lightly on the side of his body as Teixeira attacked from top position — and a fighter who is tapping out.

“Lol,” Goddard replied on Twitter to a question from a fan about the move. He was actually encouraging [and] his opponent!” It happened a few times, and I warned him that it was a dangerous game. It’s clear that he intended and did what he meant. We should celebrate this incredible feat by both .”

The only official submission registered in the fight came in the fifth round, when Prochazka turned the tables on Teixeira and cinched a no-hooks rear-naked choke. It was his fourth career submission in over 30 fights.

Prochazka later revealed that he had played mind games with Teixeira, talking to him during the fight. He did not address his “encouragement” during the press conference and wasn’t asked about it.

The light heavyweight champ wouldn’t be the first fighter to confuse the crowd by making such contact. UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture famously patted opponent Tito Ortiz on the rear end during a winning performance at UFC 44. In the case of Matt Lindland vs. Murilo Bustamante at UFC 37, a tap to an armbar was completely missed by referee John McCarthy, prompting a do-over that required Bustamante to secure a second submission for the win.

Teixeira has not protested the fight-ending sequence or anything leading up to it. He is requesting a rematch with the new champ.