Veteran official Herb Dean was positioned ringside for one of the year`s most alarming knockouts.
Serving as the referee for the featured preliminary middleweight bout at UFC 317 between experienced fighters Gregory Rodrigues and Jack Hermansson, Dean witnessed Rodrigues secure a devastating finish. Rodrigues connected with a hard punch that instantly rendered Hermansson unconscious on the canvas.
Compounding the severity of the knockout was the subsequent strike Rodrigues landed on Hermansson, who was clearly unable to defend himself. It was a distressing sequence that prompted professional fighters to marvel at Rodrigues` power, while at least one prominent voice questioned whether Dean could have been in a better position to stop the fight sooner.
“Herb Dean has lost a step,” UFC middleweight Eryk Anders commented on social media.
This incident is not the first time Dean, recognized as one of MMA`s most decorated referees, has faced controversy; his officiating has drawn increasing scrutiny in recent years. Previous notable instances include UFC commentator Joe Rogan criticizing Dean for urging more action during the UFC 306 main event, and former UFC commentator Dan Hardy`s memorable outburst directed at Dean over a perceived late stoppage during a UFC event in July 2020.
