Herb Dean

Herbert Dean, born on September 30, 1970, is a renowned mixed martial arts (MMA) referee and former fighter. Known for his precise refereeing decisions, he has officiated numerous high-profile UFC and ONE Championship events. His work has been praised by figures like Dana White and Joe Rogan, who regard him as the "gold standard" in MMA refereeing.

Dean's career highlights include refereeing key bouts such as the UFC Heavyweight Championship fight at UFC 48 between Tim Sylvia and Frank Mir, where he stopped the fight due to a broken forearm. At UFC 61, he halted Ken Shamrock's fight with Tito Ortiz after repeated elbows. He also officiated the rematch between Ortiz and Shamrock.

In 2007, Dean refereed the bout between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70, where he assisted in preventing a serious injury to Mirko after a complex knockout. Despite his accolades, Dean has faced criticism for some decisions, notably at UFC 169 and other events, including UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till.

Despite these controversies, Dean has consistently been honored with Fighters Only Magazine's World MMA Awards Referee of the Year from 2010 to 2024, except for a brief hiatus in 2015. He has also contributed to the EA Sports UFC series as the sole referee in several games.

Dean's dedication and expertise continue to make him a significant figure in MMA refereeing, balancing both praise and scrutiny throughout his career.