Herb Dean Draws Criticism After UFC 306
Former champs TJ Dillashaw and Quinton Jackson criticized Dean at UFC 306. Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley for the title, per the UFC.
What drew criticism
During the September 14 main event at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Dean repeatedly urged the fighters to work while Dvalishvili held top position. Dillashaw and Jackson questioned those interventions in comments reported by Bloody Elbow. Their remarks reflected criticism of the referee’s judgment; they do not establish that his calls changed the result.
Dean’s explanation
Dean later said that asking fighters to “work” is part of his approach and that he tells athletes during the rules briefing he will speak before intervening. He said he is looking for effort to advance position or pursue a finish, rather than activity for its own sake. MMA Fighting reported Dean’s response, including his account of the warning to O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch.
The official result
Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision and took the bantamweight title. The official scorecards show scores of 49–46, 48–47 and 48–47. The controversy centered on how Dean managed the action; the result itself was decided by the judges after five rounds.
