Jorge Masvidal believes it’s time for veteran referee Herb Dean to step away from officiating.
Dean has been the third man in the Octagon for over 20 years now and is among the most frequent faces seen at the UFC level. However, it’s been a difficult year for Dean, who is under the microscope after he failed to call any illegal blows in the finish sequence between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira. “Poatan” has publicly campaigned to have Dean canned, and since then, every remotely questionable decision is under fire.
Consider “Gamebred” among the growing camp of the highly critical. Per the longtime veteran, Dean’s issue stems from “nervous energy,” which results in an inability to act definitively. Masvidal is likely referring to the fan-named “Herb Dean shuffle,” an in-and-movement that Dean occasionally makes while deciding whether or not to intervene in a fight (see it here in the recent Esteban Ribovics vs. King Green KO).
“He’s got nervous energy, why you doing that bro?” Masvidal wondered on the Deep Waters podcast (via Home of Fight). “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.”
There is no evidence that any commissions are considering benching Dean, though individual fighters have the right to request a different officiant.
As for Masvidal, the former BMF kingpin is eyeing a return to action sooner rather than later. At 41, it’s unclear who Masvidal would fight, but some potential opponents include old enemy Leon Edwards and fellow aged star Conor McGregor.
