UFC referee Herb Dean under fire from fighters and officials

UFC chief Dana White said on a press conference that any decision about referee Herb Dean’s assignments rests with athletic commissions, not the promotion. The comment followed Alex Pereira’s formal complaint that Dean failed to protect him during his loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250, a grievance Pereira continues to pursue.

Former fighter and commentator Brendan Schaub also criticized Dean after the UFC Baku co‑main event, alleging the referee was slow to intervene and avoided taking responsibility for missed fouls. Several other fighters, including Michel Pereira and Michael Bisping, voiced similar concerns about Dean’s handling of contentious strikes and eye pokes.

The controversy centers on whether commissions will act on the complaints, as the UFC distances itself from the officiating dispute.