Masvidal: Herb Dean's Time As Ref "Is Done"

Jorge Masvidal says Herb Dean's time as an MMA referee is done, adding his voice to a growing chorus of fighters and officials frustrated with the veteran third man.

Masvidal didn't hold back during an episode of "Deep Waters," calling out Dean's demeanor inside the cage. "He's got nervous energy, why you doing that bro? He could calmly [separate the fighters]," Masvidal said. "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."

Why Is Herb Dean Under Fire Again

Herb Dean's latest controversy came during the Sept. 29 edition of Dana White's Contender Series, when he officiated the featherweight bout between Ian Escuza and Luca Borando. Escuza landed a clear illegal knee to the head of a downed Borando, but Dean never called time or acknowledged the foul. Escuza went on to finish the fight by first-round TKO moments later. It's the kind of missed call that has defined criticism of Dean in recent years, with fans and fighters pointing to inconsistent stoppages, timid intervention in dangerous spots, and a reluctance to deduct points when the rules call for it. Even UFC CEO Dana White has acknowledged Dean has had a difficult stretch, telling reporters he believes the veteran referee has struggled this year.

Dean has been one of the sport's most recognizable officials for two decades, working some of the biggest cards in UFC history. That track record is part of why this criticism carries weight. When a referee with his resume starts drawing boos on a regular basis and public rebukes from a name like Masvidal, it signals the complaints have moved past a vocal minority.

What This Means Going Forward

Whether athletic commissions actually act on the criticism remains the open question. Commissions have historically been slow to remove or reassign high-profile officials unless a mistake becomes impossible to ignore, the kind of scenario that unfolded with judge C.J. Ross after her widely panned scorecard in the 2013 Floyd Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez fight. Dean's missed call on the illegal knee against Escuza and Borando is the type of incident that could force a conversation, but there's no indication yet that any commission is moving to pull him from assignments.

For bettors, referee performance rarely shows up in a betting line directly, but it matters at the margins, especially in close finishes, point deductions, or fights that hinge on a foul being called correctly. A referee who hesitates to step in or docks points inconsistently can change how a fight is scored or how it ends, which matters most in close three-round fights where a single point can flip a decision. Fans wagering on method-of-victory or round props in fights Dean officiates would be wise to factor in that unpredictability until any formal action is taken.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Jorge Masvidal say about Herb Dean?

Jorge Masvidal said Herb Dean's time as an MMA referee "is done," criticizing his nervous demeanor and inconsistent officiating during an episode of "Deep Waters."

What incident sparked the latest criticism of Herb Dean?

Herb Dean failed to stop action or acknowledge an illegal knee to the head of a downed Luca Borando during a Sept. 29 Dana White's Contender Series bout against Ian Escuza, who went on to win by first-round TKO.

Has the UFC commented on Herb Dean's officiating?

UFC CEO Dana White has told reporters he believes Herb Dean has had a rough year as a referee, though no commission has announced any formal action against him.