Overview
- A string of recent fights has focused criticism on veteran referee Herb Dean for repeatedly issuing warnings instead of deducting points for fouls such as alleged strikes to the back of the head, hair pulls, and eye pokes.
- Former champions including Henry Cejudo publicly called for Dean to be suspended and for referees to take points more readily, arguing a single deduction can change fight outcomes and fighters' pay under common show-and-win contracts.
- Alex Pereira and others say Dean failed to penalize key fouls during Ciryl Gane's TKO of Pereira and during the Magomedov–Michel Pereira bout in Baku, where warnings were given but no points were taken.
- Veteran referee Big John McCarthy defended Dean after reviewing footage and urged honest self-review by officials, while the UFC has reiterated that state athletic commissions hold formal authority to discipline referees.
- Commentators and analysts propose structural fixes such as clearer point-deduction standards, referee grading or certification, and tougher enforcement protocols to protect fighter safety and competitive fairness.