California commission backs Herb Dean for upcoming UFC events

By Jessica Bennett — 22 July 2026 — 3 min read

Commission expresses confidence in referee

Andy Foster, Executive Director of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), has publicly affirmed his full confidence in veteran mixed martial arts referee Herb Dean. This statement comes amidst recent criticism directed at Dean for his officiating in several high-profile fights. Foster indicated that Dean will continue to officiate main events for upcoming UFC cards in California, including UFC 331.

Dean has faced scrutiny following a series of controversial calls. One notable instance involved the co-main event at UFC White House between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, where Pereira reportedly absorbed blows to the back of the head. Following this bout, Pereira voiced his dissatisfaction and initiated a petition advocating for Dean’s removal from future UFC assignments.

Foster addressed the criticism, stating that he believes it is not entirely fair to Dean or other referees who have faced similar scrutiny. He emphasized Dean’s status as the senior referee in California, asserting that Dean is a capable official. Foster confirmed that Dean would be assigned to main events for upcoming UFC events in the state.

Recent officiating under scrutiny

The controversy surrounding Dean’s officiating extends beyond the Pereira-Gane fight. Other instances that have drawn criticism include his handling of a bout where Vinicius Oliveira reportedly struck Andre Fili in the back of the head, and a fight where Shara Magomedov was accused of pulling Michel Pereira’s hair and poking him in the eye. Critics have suggested that Dean has been too lenient in penalizing fouls within the Octagon, often opting for warnings instead of point deductions.

John McCarthy, a legendary referee, has defended Dean while also acknowledging that Dean is taking the recent feedback seriously. McCarthy indicated that Dean is evaluating his officiating style and considering making adjustments to address concerns about leniency. According to McCarthy, Dean is looking at whether he is perceived as too lenient and is contemplating affecting fights more directly when fouls occur.

Foster also shared that he provided Dean with advice regarding his approach to fouls. He suggested that referees should not always rely on warnings and that there comes a point when a point deduction is necessary. This guidance aligns with the criticism that Dean has received for not penalizing fighters enough for infractions.

Commission support and upcoming events

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) reportedly took steps to manage Dean’s assignments following the recent controversies. McCarthy mentioned that the NSAC brought in Mike Beltran to officiate the main event at UFC 329, a fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, even though Beltran was not originally scheduled. This move was described not as a punishment, but as an effort to alleviate pressure on Dean and allow him to step back from high-pressure situations temporarily.

However, the CSAC is taking a different approach, with Foster expressing unwavering support for Dean. Foster stated that he was present at the Gane-Pereira fight and observed it in real-time, perceiving it as a normal fight. He acknowledged that some blows landed to the back of Pereira’s head but questioned the appropriate action for a referee in such a high-level situation, noting that stopping the action is not a common response for such incidents.

The UFC is scheduled to return to California for UFC 331 on September 19. The event is expected to take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. While the main event for UFC 331 has not yet been announced, it is anticipated to be a title fight, and Dean is expected to be assigned as the referee for this significant bout.

Dean has been officiating UFC fights for over two decades, a tenure that McCarthy highlighted as evidence of his competence. McCarthy suggested that Dean’s longevity in the sport indicates his understanding of the role, otherwise, he would have lost his position years ago. Despite the recent wave of criticism, Dean’s extensive experience and the backing of the CSAC position him to continue officiating major events.

Source: mmamania.com