Herb Dean Gets Another Title Fight As UFC 331 Referee Despite Mounting Backlash

UFC 331 has already made headlines ahead of its September event, not because of a confirmed main event but because of Herb Dean. Over the past few months, the veteran referee has found himself in unfamiliar territory, with his decisions drawing as much attention as the fighters inside the cage. 

After months of criticism over a series of controversial calls, Herb Dean has found himself under heavy fire, unlike at any point in his officiating career. Once considered the unquestioned benchmark for MMA referees, the veteran official has seen his decisions dissected by fighters and fans alike. 

Even so, California regulators haven't lost faith. When UFC 331 heads to Los Angeles, Dean will once again be the third man in the cage for the night's biggest fight.

Herb Dean To Oversee UFC 331 Main Event Despite Recent Criticism

The California State Athletic Commission recently confirmed that Dean will officiate the main event of UFC 331, scheduled for September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Although the UFC has yet to announce the headlining bout for the card, Dean's appointment signals that California's regulators continue to view him as one of the sport's premier officials.

The assignment comes during what has arguably been the most scrutinized stretch of Dean's officiating career. Much of the  criticism stems from the UFC Freedom 250 main event between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira. After dropping Pereira, Gane unleashed a barrage of follow-up punches, several of which appeared to land on the back of the former champion's head. 

Dean allowed the action to continue until Gane secured the stoppage, opting not to issue a warning or deduct a point for the illegal blows. The aftermath proved even more controversial than the fight itself.

“Poatan” publicly criticized Dean's handling of the sequence, while other UFC veterans, including Andre Fili and Michel Pereira, have also voiced frustration in recent months over what they felt was inconsistent enforcement of the Unified Rules during their own bouts.

The criticism has reignited a familiar debate within the MMA community: where should referees draw the line between allowing fighters every opportunity to finish a bout and stepping in to enforce the rulebook?

Andy Foster Explains Why Herb Dean Still Has Confidence

California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster sees the situation very differently from many of Dean's detractors.

In an exclusive to MMA Fighting, Foster confirmed that Dean will continue handling the promotion's biggest fights and made it clear that his confidence in the veteran referee has not wavered.

"I think Herb Dean's a good referee and you'll see Herb Dean on the main event of my upcoming UFCs because Herb Dean is the senior referee in California. Herb Dean has my full confidence."

Foster also addressed the controversial finish to the Gane-Pereira fight, acknowledging that some strikes did land illegally but arguing that the circumstances mattered.

According to the 47-year-old, the exchange began with a legitimate knockdown, leaving the Frenchman in full pursuit of a finish while Pereira attempted to recover. From his perspective, stopping the action in the middle of that sequence would have been difficult for any experienced referee.

"There was no doubt a few of them got through and hit the back of the head. The question is what do you do in that situation? Do you stop the action? Because I don't think many referees would have, if any, certainly at the high level."

Foster added that, in real time, the sequence didn't strike him as unusual for a championship-level fight, suggesting similar scenarios have played out countless times without officials intervening.

Whether fans accept that explanation is another matter. After being met with loud boos from the crowd at UFC Oklahoma City, Dean will walk into UFC 331 under more scrutiny than ever before.