Imagine watching a fighter take relentless punishment, blow after blow, only for the referee to stand by and do nothing. That’s exactly what happened at UFC 325 in Sydney, and it’s sparked a fiery debate in the MMA world. Jorge Masvidal didn’t hold back when he called out veteran referee Herb Dean, labeling him ‘the worst referee to ever exist.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: while Dean is one of the most recognizable figures in MMA officiating, Masvidal argues he’s long past his prime—and fighters are paying the price.
During the co-main event between Benoit Saint Denis and Dan Hooker, Saint Denis dominated with a relentless ground-and-pound assault in the second round. Hooker, though clearly overwhelmed, showed no signs of tapping out. Dean, however, waited until 4:45 into the round to stop the fight. In a reaction video on his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg6bHR2um2I), Masvidal expressed his frustration: ‘Who’s the referee? Let me guess, Herb Dean. Holy smoke, what is he waiting for? Stop it, bro. I don’t know how this dude is still refereeing.’
Masvidal’s critique wasn’t just about this one fight. He’s been vocal throughout his career about Dean’s questionable judgment. ‘Herb Dean is the worst referee to ever exist,’ Masvidal declared. ‘A fighter like Hooker isn’t going to quit. You have to step in, but Herb just doesn’t got it.’ He pointed out that Hooker was stuck in a losing position for over a minute and a half, absorbing elbows, backfists, and chokes, all while showing minimal defense. ‘He’s eating shots the whole time, and still nothing,’ Masvidal added. ‘It’s not just bad—it’s dangerous.’
And this is the part most people miss: Masvidal made it clear his criticism isn’t personal. ‘As a human being, I think Herb’s a great dude,’ he said. ‘But when it comes to refereeing, he’s just not cutting it anymore.’ This raises a thought-provoking question: Should there be a retirement age or performance benchmark for MMA referees? After all, fighters’ safety is on the line. Masvidal’s bold statement has ignited a debate—is Herb Dean truly past his prime, or is this just an isolated incident? Let us know what you think in the comments. One thing’s for sure: this conversation is far from over.
