Commission expresses confidence in veteran referee
The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) Executive Director, Andy Foster, has publicly supported longtime referee Herb Dean, despite recent criticism regarding his officiating in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bouts. Foster stated that Dean maintains his full confidence and will continue to officiate main events in California.
Dean, who has been described as a senior referee in California, has faced scrutiny for several calls in high-profile fights. Foster acknowledged the complaints but emphasized his belief in Dean’s capabilities, stating, “I think Herb Dean’s a good referee and you’ll see Herb Dean on the main event of my upcoming UFC’s because Herb Dean is the senior referee in California. Herb Dean has my full confidence.”
Recent controversies and commission responses
One notable instance that drew criticism involved the co-main event between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. During this fight, Pereira reportedly absorbed several blows to the back of the head. Following the bout, Pereira voiced his dissatisfaction with Dean’s officiating and initiated a petition to prevent Dean from overseeing future UFC fights.
Foster, who was present at the event, commented on the Gane and Pereira fight, noting that it appeared to be a normal fight in real-time. He acknowledged that some blows landed to the back of Pereira’s head but questioned the appropriate action for a referee in such a high-stakes situation, particularly when a knockdown initiated the sequence. Foster suggested that many referees, especially at a high level, might not have stopped the action.
The criticism surrounding Dean extends beyond this single event. Other incidents cited include his handling of a fight where Vinicius Oliveira hit Andre Fili in the back of the head and a bout where Shara Magomedov pulled Michel Pereira’s hair and poked him in the eye. These situations have led to discussions among fighters, fans, and media regarding Dean’s officiating style, particularly his tendency to issue warnings rather than penalize fighters for fouls.
According to fellow referee John McCarthy, Dean is taking the recent criticism to heart. McCarthy indicated that Dean is reviewing his officiating approach and considering adjustments to his style. McCarthy shared that Dean is evaluating whether he has been too lenient and is contemplating a more active role in affecting fights when fouls occur.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) reportedly made efforts to support Dean by assigning Mike Beltran to the main event of UFC 329, rather than Dean, who was not originally scheduled for that fight. McCarthy explained that this decision was not a punishment but an attempt to alleviate pressure on Dean and allow him to officiate without the intense scrutiny he had recently faced.
Despite the controversies, Dean’s long tenure in MMA officiating, spanning over two decades at the highest level of the sport, is seen by some as evidence of his competence. Foster’s unwavering support indicates that Dean will continue to be a prominent figure in UFC events in California.
The UFC is scheduled to return to California for UFC 331 on September 19, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Foster confirmed that Dean will be officiating the main event at this upcoming card.
Advice for future officiating
Foster also mentioned that he provided Dean with some advice following the controversy that arose from the fight at the White House. He specifically counseled Dean on the importance of taking points rather than relying solely on warnings.
“I told Herb, in my view, you don’t want to warn a lot of times,” Foster said. “At some point, you’ve got to take the point.” This guidance suggests a desire for Dean to be more decisive in penalizing fouls during fights.
The main event for UFC 331 has not yet been announced, but it is anticipated to be a title fight. Dean is expected to be the referee for this significant bout in September, underscoring the continued confidence placed in him by the CSAC.
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Source: mmamania.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.