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[kickass32]

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UFC Referee Herb Dean Working to Improve the Sport

by Kid Nate on Nov 29, 2010 3:48 PM EST in UFC News



Until he left the Octagon in December of 2007 for a brief career as a broadcaster, "Big" John McCarthy was unquestionably MMA's alpha referee. "Big" John McCarthy wasn't just the first man to ever ref a UFC bout, he was a universally admired authority on the rules of the sport and how to enforce them.

But once McCarthy left the Octagon amidst a flurry of controversy around his role in a proposed set of changes to the unified rules and some ill-advised criticisms of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the UFC, there hasn't been a leading referee.

Now it looks like Herb Dean is making moves to claim the mantle. Kevin Iole talks to Dana White's favorite ref about his efforts to train better MMA umpires:

A former fighter with a black belt in jiu-jitsu and a 2-3 pro-MMA record, Dean has begun a school to train referees and judges, the MMA Referee School, in Pasadena, Calif.

The school is certified by the Association of Boxing Commissions and recently graduated its first class. The second session will be held Jan. 8 in Pasadena, Calif.

"The sport is growing and there are so many fight cards being held all over the place and there is always a need for additional good officials," said Dean, who was trained to officiate by Larry Landless and began refereeing in 1999 in King of the Cage. "There's no such thing as too many good officials and even the officials who are currently working need to consistently work to make sure they're up to date with the techniques that are being used."

Thanks Herb, every little bit of effort to improve the officiating of MMA helps.

[Leucoethiops]

Pretty sure Herb Dean isn't employed by the UFC, so I don't see why he should be branded.

[TheKidInside]

Kid Nate is awesome, talks about growing and improving the sport yet just like you said, calls Herb a "UFC referee"

[jukon]

Good idea, wrong focus. Put the focus on teaching judges about MMA.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by jukon

Good idea, wrong focus. Put the focus on teaching judges about MMA.

Teaching the judges is not his area of expertise. Him pushing out more knowledgeable refs is a step in the right direction. The judging issue will have to come from a position higher on the ladder than Dean, IMO

[b0sH]

Originally Posted by TN94z

Teaching the judges is not his area of expertise. Him pushing out more knowledgeable refs is a step in the right direction. The judging issue will have to come from a position higher on the ladder than Dean, IMO

I'd still say that Dean has probably got a better view of the judging than a lot of people the commission deems worthy to do so.

I must say I've been really impressed with Dean so far, he seems to let things go just far enough and is always communicating with the fighters to make sure they know what's going on and what action he'll take unless a situation changes.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by b0sH

I'd still say that Dean has probably got a better view of the judging than a lot of people the commission deems worthy to do so.

I must say I've been really impressed with Dean so far, he seems to let things go just far enough and is always communicating with the fighters to make sure they know what's going on and what action he'll take unless a situation changes.

I agree with you 100% on that, but having Dean "teach" the judges how to judge is a different story.