Jorge Masvidal expressed sharp criticism toward veteran referee Herb Dean following the co-main event at UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, where Dan Hooker suffered a TKO loss to Benoit Saint Denis. Masvidal argued that the referee waited too long to halt the fight, placing Hooker at unnecessary risk of injury.
The bout ended in the second round after Saint Denis took control on the ground, executing a series of strikes that combined punches, elbows, and choke attempts. Despite the mounting damage, Masvidal believes the stoppage should have been called earlier to protect Hooker’s health.
Masvidal Voices Harsh Criticism Toward Herb Dean’s Refereeing
Masvidal did not hold back in condemning Herb Dean’s performance during the fight, branding it one of the worst refereeing decisions he has witnessed in his career.
“As I’ve said my whole fcking career, Herb Dean is the worst referee to ever exist,” Masvidal said while speaking on Death Row MMA. “I mean, fck, bro, does he suck. Holy smokes, is he bad.”
He elaborated that fighters like Hooker often refuse to tap out or quit, even when overwhelmed, which demands prompt intervention from officials.
“A fighter, especially like Hooker, though he’s obviously on his way out, he’s not gonna quit. He’s not gonna tap. You’ve got to take that guy out,” Masvidal said.
Why Masvidal Believes the Referee Allowed Excessive Damage
Masvidal pointed out that Hooker was trapped on his back for over a minute and a half while absorbing a sustained barrage of legal strikes, including elbows and backfists, and attempting to escape choke holds.
“He’s obviously in this position for over a minute and a half, and he’s eating shots the whole time, from elbows to backfists to the face, getting choked,” Masvidal said. “Then now the guy obviously has no energy because it took all of it to escape the choke. Now he’s stuck in that position.”
The damage accumulated without any intervention, leading Masvidal to describe the stoppage as a serious failure.
“He had maybe 15 unanswered shots and still nothing. Still had another 15 unanswered shots. Worst referee I’ve ever seen,” Masvidal added.
Masvidal Clarifies His Criticism Is Professional, Not Personal
Despite his strong condemnation of Dean’s refereeing, Masvidal emphasized that his remarks were not a personal attack and acknowledged Dean’s character outside the cage.
“It’s nothing personal against him,” Masvidal said. “As a human being, I think Herb is a great dude. Been around him a lot, great dude. But what I’m saying is as far as refereeing goes, I don’t know what it is, man. He just don’t got it.”
Herb Dean’s Longstanding Career and Reputation in MMA
Herb Dean, now 55, has officiated mixed martial arts matches for over two decades, including his UFC debut in 2004. Throughout his career, he has been a prominent figure in many high-profile fights and is recognized with ten Referee of the Year awards at the World MMA Awards. Despite this, Masvidal’s comments suggest that recent performances have raised questions about his ability to effectively manage intense fight situations.
Potential Impact on Refereeing Standards and Fighter Safety
Masvidal’s vocal frustration signals ongoing concerns within the MMA community regarding fighter safety and the timeliness of fight stoppages. In cases like the Dan Hooker UFC stoppage, delayed intervention can lead to unnecessary harm to athletes. This criticism may prompt reevaluations of refereeing protocols, training, and accountability to better protect fighters in future events. As the sport continues to evolve, ensuring referees are equipped to make swift and accurate decisions remains critical for maintaining fighter health and confidence in officiating.
😬 Jorge Masvidal went OFF on Herb Dean for his stoppage in Benoit Saint Denis vs Dan Hooker.
"Herb Dean is the worst referee to ever exist. I mean f**k bro, does he suck."
(via @deathrow_mma) pic.twitter.com/mpu4D4O63y
— Full Mount MMA (@MMAFullMount) February 5, 2026
