The heat on Herb Dean keeps getting hotter after the long-time UFC’s referee’s recent gaffes. Dean was already in the spotlight after UFC Freedom 250.
Alex Pereira slammed the official after being hit at the back of the head several times by Ciryl Gane. The Brazilian lost his interim heavyweight title fight, and lambasted Dean on social media.
The referee has since officiated a couple of events and has been in the wars since. The latest event, at Baku, saw Dean warn Shara Magomedov several times for hair-pulling and an eye poke.
However, he didn’t deduct a point from the Russian, and Magomedov got the win in the end. Pereira was quick to condemn Dean and even called for his removal from the sport, and the Brazilian seems to have some support from UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
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The Brit, who has been on the receiving end of terrible refereeing decisions too, was quick to share a viral video on his Instagram stories.
It highlighted that Dean warned Magomedov several times, but he didn’t take any action. Aspinall’s post read:
“MMA doesn’t have ‘rules’ any more. It’s just ‘suggestions.’”
Check out Tom Aspinall’s story below:
Aspinall’s first title defense didn’t go as planned. Gane eye-poked the British champion several times, and Aspinall was unable to continue.
The fight was deemed a no-contest, and Aspinall has undergone surgery on both eyes as he plans a return to the octagon.
Michel Pereira slams Herb Dean
Shara Magomedov’s opponent, Michel Pereira, also took to social media and questioned Herb Dean after UFC Baku.
Pereira was left shocked at the lack of rule enforcement and posted the following message:
“In MMA, there are rules. They must be applied with the same level of rigor to everyone. Respecting the rules means protecting the integrity of the sport and ensuring justice inside the Octagon.”
The Brazilian continued:
“My opponent was warned several times and was not punished. When a rule is ignored, the result is compromised. Where’s the criterion, @herbdeanmma?”
Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim
