Jorge Masvidal Claims Referee Herb Dean Is Bias Against Him
UFC superstar Jorge Masvidal is not happy with how Herb Dean has officiated some of his fights. Masvidal believes that Dean has shown bias against him. He expressed his frustrations on The MMA Hour.
This claim is coming as a result of Masvidal’s most recent fight with Colby Covington. In this fight, Masvidal said that Covington poked him in the eye in round one. In this exchange, Dean did not stop the action even after Masvidal told him he was eye poked. Masvidal added that he was kneed in the groin in round two. That interaction only yielded a warning from Dean.
“He’s done some things that I’m like, it’s kind of weird, and then I get clearly, clearly [Covington] throws a low blow – that I’m not saying this changes the outcome – but clearly he throws a low blow that’s intentional, and Herb doesn’t do anything about it, just gives him a little warning. I don’t know,” Masvidal said.
Full quote via MMA Fighting
Masvidal’s issues with Dean are not new. He mentioned that he had issues in his fights with Donald Cerrone and Jake Ellenberger. These fights both took place several years ago.
“We’ve had a couple of problems, and the Donald Cerrone [fight] was one of them, as well,” Masvidal said. “Jake Ellenberger, as well. I just, I don’t know, I don’t think I’m his cup of tea, and he kind of takes it out [on me] when [he’s] refereeing.
Full quote via MMA Fighting
Herb Dean is a veteran UFC referee and he officiates at almost every domestic UFC event. If he is biased, there is a problem. However, Dean is not immune to making mistakes. This may be a case of Masvidal being on the wrong side of some Dean mishaps. Regardless, it does not seem like Masvidal cares.
“I’m not a fan of Herb Dean, man, I’ll tell you that much,” said Masvidal
Full quote via MMA Fighting
Throw this one on the list of fighter and referee issues. It’s a long list. Masvidal is not the only fighter to get upset at a referee. I’m pretty confident he will not be the last either.
