Dana White reacts to Herb Dean's alleged early stoppage debacle after UFC 332

Dana White has chimed in on the wave of criticism that longtime MMA referee Herb Dean is facing in the aftermath of a fight that transpired at UFC 332. 

The fight in question is a lightweight matchup between Esteban Ribovics and King Green (formerly known as Bobby Green). 

Referee Herb Dean waved off the fight between Esteban Ribovics and King Green at UFC 332

Argentina's Esteban Ribovics scored multiple knockdowns of America's King Green in their 155-pound clash that was featured on the main card portion of UFC 332 on Saturday, October 3. Ribovics ended up scoring a first-round TKO victory, as Referee Herb Dean waved the fight off after a knockdown, and Green appeared to strongly disagree with the stoppage. 

In fact, Green subsequently addressed the fans online and emphasized that he had told Dean, beforehand, that their fight would get tough and he mustn't stop it until he's either knocked out Ribovics or has himself gotten knocked out. The fan-favorite fighter also made a reassurance to his fans in the video message. 

Dana White alluded to the criticism Herb Dean has faced in 2026, reacts to debacle over UFC 332 stoppage

During the UFC 332 post-fight press conference, UFC CEO and president Dana White was asked about the situation involving Herb Dean, Esteban Ribovics, and King Green. 

White responded by making an allusion to Dean being at the center of multiple supposed refereeing debacles in 2026. He stated: 

"Herb's having a rough f**king year." Indicating that Green was gesturing that he was fine despite being seemingly hurt, he said, "Listen, Bobby was laying there going..." 

White added, "But he (Green) got dropped, like, three times in a row. So, I've seen worse stoppages." 

Dean has served as an MMA referee in top-tier MMA organizations such as the UFC and ONE Championship over the years. A referee since the early 2000s, the former MMA fighter appears to have found himself in hot water multiple times this year. 

He was scrutinized and condemned -- by some fans and prominent MMA personalities such as Jorge Masvidal -- for an apparent late stoppage when Benoit Saint Denis knocked out Dan Hooker earlier this year.

Also, Dean has faced consistent and considerable condemnation from ex-two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira over the former not penalizing Ciryl Gane for illegal back-of-the-head strikes by Gane against Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June. 

Moreover, Shara Magomedov outpointed Michel Pereira in a middleweight clash later in June, wherein Magomedov looked as though he pulled Pereira's hair multiple times. Dean officiated that fight as well, and a number of observers argued that he didn't punish the Dagestani fighter for his hair-pulling fouls despite the transgression glaringly taking place more than once. 

Nevertheless, Dean has also received support from several quarters of the mixed martial arts community. His supporters have pointed out that he's long been hailed by many as one of the best referees in the business, and a few supposed errors don't erase his incredible legacy. 

Watch Dana White discuss Herb Dean's stoppage in the fight featuring Esteban Ribovics and King Green below (*comments at the 2:18-minute mark of the video):