Charles Oliveira has come to the defense of Herb Dean, saying the referee made an honest mistake in the Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane fight on July 5, 2026.
What happened?
Oliveira told MMA Fighting that while he agrees Alex Pereira took illegal shots, he doesn't think it affected the outcome.
Why it matters for Charles Oliveira
The Brazilian fighter has had his fair share of controversies and believes situations like this can serve as a lesson for all parties involved.
Charles Oliveira thinks Herb Dean is still a great referee, despite the controversy.
What comes next?
Oliveira's comments come after Alex Pereira blasted Herb Dean on social media, urging the promotion to ban him from officiating his fights.
Renowned referee John McCarthy also defended Herb Dean, explaining that most of Ciryl Gane's shots landed just outside the "two-inch strip", making them legal.
Oliveira has had his fair share of controversies, including fouls, and believes referees can make human errors in the heat of the moment.
The debate over Herb Dean's officiating continues, with Charles Oliveira calling for everyone to stay alert during fights.
On July 5, 2026, Charles Oliveira spoke out about the controversy, saying "we can't make it a bigger issue than it is."
Herb Dean has refereed several of Charles Oliveira's fights and has always treated him with respect, according to the fighter.
The UFC and commission can learn from situations like this, says Charles Oliveira.
Charles Oliveira finished his statement by saying "situations like this serve as a lesson for other referees, for the UFC, for the commission, for everyone involved.