Jorge Masvidal believes it is time for a veteran judge Herb Dean to step aside from referee work.
Dean has been the third man in the octagon for over 20 years and is one of the most frequent faces at the UFC level. However it’s been a rough year for deanwho is under scrutiny after failing to call any illegal shots in the finish sequence between Cyril Gane and Alex Pereira. “Poatan” has made a public campaign to conserve Deanand from then on, every decision that is even remotely questionable is under attack.
Consider “Gamebred” among the burgeoning camp of super-critical. According to the longtime veteran, Dean’s problem stems from “nervous energy” that results in an inability to act definitively. Masvidal is likely referring to the fan moniker “Herb Dean shuffle,” a move Dean occasionally makes when deciding whether or not to get involved in a fight. (see it here recently Esteban Ribovics vs. King Green yes).
“He has nervous energy, why are you doing this bro?” Masvidal continued to wonder The Deep Waters Podcast (via Home of the struggle). “He could calmly (separate the fighters). You have to protect the fighters. He’s the most nervous guy out there, I don’t think he should be an official. I think his time is up.”
There is no evidence that any committee is considering putting Dean in office, although individual fighters have the right to request a different official.
As for Masvidal, the former BMF king is watching return to action sooner rather than later. At 41, it’s unclear who Masvidal would fight, but some of the potential opponents are old foes Leon Edwards and co-star Conor McGregor.
