Jorge Masvidal believes Herb Dean doesn’t treat him fairly and no longer wants the veteran referee to oversee his UFC fights.
Later in the month, Masvidal announced that he will undergo laser eye surgery to treat an injury resulting from a Colby Covington foul at their UFC 272 grudge bout. The ref was accused of failing to call fouls in critical situations and he said Dean did a poor job at officiating.
“I’m not a fan of Herb Dean, man, I’ll tell you that much,” said Masvidal on The MMA Hour.
Masvidal cited an errant punch before Covington’s first takedown attempt as the source of the injury; he could be seen telling Dean he was poked in the eye, but the action was not stopped, though Dean did warn Covington about eye pokes at the start of the second frame. The “BMF” champ also cited an illegal knee to the groin in Round 2 that drew another verbal warning from the veteran ref.
Masvidal believes the calls are part of a pattern.
” We’ve experienced a few problems and the Donald Cerrone [fight] is one of them,” he stated. He also mentioned Jake Ellenberger. 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.
“He has done things I find strange. Then I see clearly that [Covington] throws an intentional low blow. Herb does not do anything, but he gives him a warning. I don’t understand .”
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Dean didn’t immediately reply to our request for comment.
Covington repeatedly grounded Masvidal over the five-round fight and emerged with a unanimous decision in the March headliner. That was not the end of the rivals’ physical confrontation – Masvidal is accused of assaulting his former teammate and roommate outside a steakhouse in Miami Beach, and he faces felony charges for battery and criminal mischief.
Masvidal said the eye injury aggravated a previous one, adding “now, I’ve got more holes in my retina.” He didn’t blame the fouls for his loss, but emerged from the bout with a resolution to oppose Dean, one of the most tenured officials in UFC history who’s often been at the center of controversy for his calls inside the octagon.
It’s likely Masvidal will fight again in the UFC’s home state of Nevada. He can request Dean to not supervise his fight via hearing. Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones did this with John McCarthy, who Jones felt had unfairly treated him.
“I hope that as long as I compete, Herb Dean never referees a fight of mine or judges it,” Masvidal said.
