When Herb Dean called out "sensational" UFC analysts for comments on Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill: "Their job is to get clicks"
Herb Dean once jibed at a few supposedly sensational UFC analysts over their opinions about the Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill fight's stoppage. Dean, who's been an MMA referee for over two decades, officiated that matchup. Certain sections of the MMA community suggested that his refereeing adversely affected Hill.
Pereira defended his UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Hill via first-round KO in the headlining match of UFC 300 (April 13, 2024). The final moments of the fight witnessed Hill seemingly land a kick to Pereira's groin. Dean stepped in to pause the fight and presumably give Pereira time to recover.
Nevertheless, Pereira extended his right hand and stopped Dean. The latter then let the fight resume and both fighters touched gloves. Pereira knocked Hill down with a left hook and finished him with follow-up ground strikes moments later.
Watch the knockout below:
Notable MMA personalities like UFC color commentator Joe Rogan and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier indicated that Herb Dean could've officiated the sequence differently. Meanwhile, Jamahal Hill strongly disapproved of Dean's decision-making in that sequence.
Taking to his YouTube channel, Cormier explained that he'd spoken to Hill after UFC 300. 'DC' echoed Hill's sentiments and noted that Dean could've separated both athletes and created more distance between them before letting the fight restart.
Alternatively, former MMA referee 'Big' John McCarthy supported Dean, emphasizing that he wasn't at fault in that stoppage. Cormier subsequently agreed with McCarthy.
On The Casuals MMA podcast in June 2024, Dean rewatched Pereira's knockout of Hill and implied that the distance 'Poatan' supposedly covered during the pause was negligible. The referee and ex-MMA fighter stated:
"There's a couple of analysts in our sport who are really good at picking out sensational things. And they're so sincere when they talk, that, I mean, I think that they can talk you into believing their words over your lying eyes."
Moreover, Dean lightheartedly pointed out that the sensationalism from certain MMA personalities brings more attention to the sport, even if it means they're throwing him under the bus. He said:
"I think I heard something, 'cause it's interesting. You guys, let's watch it. Kick, Time. Right? Now, let's see here. Does anyone move back after it? Let it go again ... I know that my job and my focus is to try to referee clean matches as much as I can get. Some of these people have jobs in the sport. Maybe, they know their job is to get clicks. Doesn't really -- the truth doesn't matter."
Check out the snippets of Dean's and Joe Rogan's breakdowns below:
Watch Herb Dean's podcast appearance below (*comments about the stoppage at 34:40-39:50):
Joe Rogan on Herb Dean's role in Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill
On episode 155 of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast (April 2024), Rogan and newly-crowned BMF champion Max Holloway touched upon Herb Dean's stoppage in the Pereira-Hill fight.
Rogan explained that there was a "weird millisecond" of confusion after Dean stepped in and was stopped by Pereira. Rogan and Holloway appeared to agree that Hill relaxed momentarily while Pereira advanced. Furthermore, the podcast mogul opined that 'Poatan' covered some distance swiftly and Hill erred by not protecting himself at all times. The commentator noted:
"Jamahal accidentally hits him [Pereira] low, and Herb Dean comes in to stop it. Jamahal has stopped and relaxed after he threw the kick. He [Hill] gives him a thumbs up, and then Pereira advances. So, he [Pereira] doesn't stop when Herb stops him. Pereira had a double hop."
Watch Rogan's assessment below (1:04:20-1:16:10):