Herb Dean responds to Joe Rogan’s criticism about refereeing standards at UFC 306

The UFC 306 main event between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley sparked a public exchange between veteran referee Herb Dean and commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan criticized Dean’s calls during the match, particularly his urging of Dvalishvili to stay active while in control. This disagreement has fueled discussions about refereeing standards, prompting Dean to clarify his officiating approach.

Herb Dean’s approach to active refereeing

Herb Dean is known for encouraging fighters to work toward finishing their bouts. During the UFC 306 main event, he instructed Dvalishvili to “work” on the ground, a move Rogan labeled “insane”. Dean explained on the JAXXON Podcast that his instructions aim to uphold excitement, fairness, and safety in the sport. Rather than mere “busy work”, Dean looks for fighters to attempt impactful moves that could lead to a finish, whether by advancing position or delivering strong strikes.

Dean emphasized that his expectations focus on intent. For him, UFC is a dynamic sport that thrives on proactive strategies, aiming to ensure fighters take meaningful actions that add to the entertainment value.

Joe Rogan’s criticism and social media response

During UFC 306, Rogan criticized Dean’s refereeing style as excessive, particularly his repeated demands for Dvalishvili to “work.” Rogan’s commentary quickly led to a wave of social media backlash against Dean, with fans echoing Rogan’s sentiments. Dean recognized the impact of Rogan’s words on public opinion but remains open to discussing his refereeing philosophy with Rogan and the UFC team to address any misunderstandings.

Dean’s perspective on referee-fighter dynamics

Dean explained that his in-cage instructions aim to keep the fight engaging for fans. He sees the referee’s role as balancing fighter autonomy with the sport’s excitement factor. Dean also noted that encouraging fighters to stay active prevents complacency in advantageous positions. He believes consistency in refereeing is essential, with commands like “work” or “fight back” notifying fighters of his expectations to either escalate their efforts or risk losing position.

Open dialogue and refereeing standards

Dean expressed a desire for an open conversation with Rogan and the UFC commentary team to clarify his approach. He hopes this dialogue will foster a more informed commentary approach in future events, promoting a better understanding between referees and commentators. Dean believes this alignment will ultimately benefit both fighters and fans by providing clearer insights into referee decisions and the reasoning behind certain in-cage instructions, enhancing the UFC viewing experience overall.