Jorge Masvidal thinks Herb Dean should hang it up.
The former UFC welterweight title challenger took aim at the veteran referee on Deep Waters.
He’s got nervous energy, why you doing that bro? He could calmly [separate the fighters]. You’re supposed to protect the fighters. He’s the most nervous guy in there, I don’t think he should be an official. I think his time is done.
Dean has faced growing criticism over stoppage timing and missed point deductions. Dana White has also said Dean has had a rough year. Masvidal’s comments followed Dean’s stoppage of Bobby Green’s fight with Esteban Ribovics at UFC 332 on Oct. 3.
Another controversy came on the Sept. 29 episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. Ian Escuza landed a knee to the head of Luca Borando while Borando had a knee down. Dean did not stop the action, and Escuza went on to win by first-round TKO. After reviewing the sequence with Nevada officials, Dean let the result stand.
Masvidal has criticized Dean before, saying in 2022 that anyone who watches fighting has seen his “hiccups.”
Athletic commissions rarely disclose what happens to officials after a major mistake. It remains to be seen if any will take action against Dean.
