Herb Dean Lost UFC 329 Main Event as Criticism Forced Late Referee Switch
Updated
Updated · Irish Star · Jul 21
Herb Dean Lost UFC 329 Main Event as Criticism Forced Late Referee Switch
1 articles · Updated · Irish Star · Jul 21
Summary
Herb Dean was pulled from officiating Conor McGregor’s July 11 comeback fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329, with Mike Beltran taking over the main event at the last minute.
John McCarthy said the Nevada State Athletic Commission made the switch after weeks of criticism, aiming to shield Dean from another high-pressure assignment rather than formally punish him.
Dean instead worked Cody Garbrandt vs. Adrian Yanez and Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista, and was absent from both the main and co-main events despite his usual top-bout role.
Recent backlash followed disputed officiating in Alex Pereira’s June 14 loss to Ciryl Gane and Michel Pereira’s June 27 defeat to Shara Magomedov, while UFC 329 fans in Las Vegas booed Dean during introductions.
McCarthy said Dean is reviewing whether his typically lenient style needs adjustment, suggesting the veteran referee is reassessing how much he should intervene in fights.