Joe Rogan analyzes Herb Dean’s cryptic message about forcing action for Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Joe Rogan recently dissected Herb Dean's response to the criticism he received for his refereeing performance during Sean O'Malley's fight with Merab Dvalishvili. The pair clashed at Noche UFC 306 in September in a highly anticipated bantamweight title bout.
Dvalishvili is arguably the division's best wrestler and secured numerous dominant grappling positions over the five-round fight. During the fourth and fifth rounds, Dean could be heard telling 'The Machine' to "work" while attempting to secure a takedown against O'Malley.
Dean's instruction was a warning that without an uptick in activity, he would reset the fighters' positions. The referee's behavior confused both fans and Rogan, who formed part of the event's commentary team, as Dvalishvili was in no way stalling the action.
During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, featuring former UFC champion Israel Adesanya, the pair analyzed Dean's somewhat cryptic response to the criticism of his performance at Noche UFC 306. Rogan said this:
"Herb was alluding to they want more action. I don't know if he's getting pressure from someone to have more action, but one of the things that Herb said was.. I think he was alluding to some specific officials and executives, he's like, 'If they want it to look different I wish they would tell me.' He said it in an interview when he was being criticized for trying to get people to work and trying to stand people up."
Catch Rogan's comments below (38:25):
Joe Rogan hailed as the "GOAT" by Jon Anik ahead of UFC 307
UFC 307 will feature a much anticipated light heavyweight title fight between champion Alex Pereira and challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event.
With the pay-per-view event taking place in Utah, USA, Rogan will form part of the event's commentary team. The podcast host and commentator made his first appearance of fight week during the ceremonial weigh-ins held on Oct. 4.
Following the final face-offs, fellow UFC commentator Jon Anik took to social media to pay tribute to Rogan, whom he admitted inspired his own commentary style and introductions when conducting weigh-ins and press conferences.
He wrote this:
"Imitation = flattery. I've mirrored my ceremonial weigh-in call and style after the G.O.A.T. @joerogan, from whom I've just learned so much. He has a way of captivating your attention [with] his vocal energy from the moment he cracks a mic. And he still brings it hard every time."
See Jon Anik's tribute to Joe Rogan below: