During the preliminary card at UFC 317, veteran referee Herb Dean was cageside for the middleweight bout between Gregory Rodrigues and Jack Hermansson, witnessing one of the year`s most unsettling knockouts firsthand. Rodrigues delivered a powerful punch that immediately sent Hermansson crashing to the canvas, unconscious.
The situation was made more concerning by Rodrigues landing a follow-up strike on the already defenseless Hermansson. This graphic moment prompted strong reactions from fellow fighters and observers, marveling at Rodrigues` power but also raising questions about the officiating.
Specifically, the timing of Herb Dean`s stoppage came under scrutiny. Some professionals wondered if Dean could have been positioned better or reacted faster to prevent the unnecessary extra blow. UFC middleweight Eryk Anders publicly voiced his concern on social media, stating, “Herb Dean has lost a step.”
This incident adds to a pattern of increased examination surrounding Dean, who is widely recognized but has faced multiple controversies regarding his stoppages and calls in recent years. Past criticisms include remarks from UFC commentator Joe Rogan regarding pacing at UFC 306 and a notable disagreement with former commentator Dan Hardy over a late stoppage in 2020.
