TLDR
- Dana White said referee Herb Dean is having a difficult year after controversial stoppage at UFC 332
- Dean stopped King Green vs Esteban Ribovics in first round after Green hit canvas three times
- Green remained conscious and told Dean he wanted to continue fighting
- Multiple UFC fighters including Alex Pereira and Henry Cejudo have criticized Dean in recent months
- The stoppage ended Green’s four-fight winning streak and improved Ribovics to 17-3
Sources: yardbarker.com
UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged that referee Herb Dean is experiencing a difficult year after another controversial stoppage at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City on Saturday night.
Dean stopped the lightweight fight between King Green and Esteban Ribovics in the first round after Green hit the canvas three times in quick succession. Green remained conscious throughout the sequence.
King Green just went off in the club about referee Herb Dean stopping his fight 😭
“Let me fight! I don’t plan on living long! Let me f*cking go! I’m a real gangster, n***a. I look at death right in his face. I watch Dragon Ball Z, I’m doing sh*t I see in the cartoon!” pic.twitter.com/K2kYMATqjM
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 4, 2026
Green Protests Early Stoppage
Green approached Dean immediately after the stoppage to contest the decision. In a video posted after the fight, the 40-year-old fighter said he told the referee during the stoppage that things were about to get messy and asked to go out on his shield.
Green insisted he felt fine and wanted to continue fighting. He told followers he plans to return to the octagon soon.
The loss ended Green’s four-fight winning streak and dropped his record to 36-18-1 with one no contest. Ribovics improved to 17-3 with his second straight technical knockout finish and third bout of 2026.
White Addresses Dean’s Recent Struggles
White spoke about the controversy at the post-fight press conference. He acknowledged Dean’s recent run of questionable calls while defending the UFC 332 decision itself.
Dean has drawn criticism from multiple UFC fighters in recent months. Alex Pereira, Andre Fili, Michel Pereira, and Henry Cejudo have all voiced concerns about the veteran referee’s work.
The early stoppage proved particularly frustrating for Green given the heated words exchanged between him and Ribovics before the fight. Green had been building momentum with four consecutive victories entering the bout.
White did not announce any plans to change Dean’s assignment schedule or review his refereeing. The UFC CEO’s comments marked his first public acknowledgment of the criticism Dean has faced this year.
Dean is one of the most experienced referees in mixed martial arts and has worked hundreds of UFC fights over his career. The recent string of controversial calls represents an unusual stretch for the long-time official.
Green told his followers in the post-fight video that he understood referees have difficult jobs but felt he deserved the opportunity to continue. He said he was already looking forward to his next fight.
Ribovics celebrated his second consecutive knockout victory and third fight of the year. The win keeps him on an upward trajectory in the UFC’s lightweight division.
