Herb Dean Biography – A Look at the Iconic UFC Referee

If you’re a mixed martial arts fan, then you know Herb Dean. He is the man behind the octagon who ensures that all the fighters are following the rules and are safe during their matches. Herb Dean is one of MMA’s most respected referees and has been involved in some of the sport’s most iconic moments. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Herb Dean’s career and find out what makes him one of the best referees in UFC history. With more than five thousand fights under his referee belt, he is one of the best and most experienced referees in the business.

The Early Days

Herb Dean began his martial arts journey in 1984 when he started training in karate. He soon began competing in tournaments and winning championships. In 1993, Herb Dean made the switch to mixed martial arts (MMA). He competed as a fighter for a few years before transitioning into refereeing.

Herb Dean’s Career as an MMA Fighter

Renowned as one of the greatest referees in MMA, Herb Dean has been central to nearly every significant bout in the Octagon. While his officiating work is well-known, his personal combat career remains relatively under the radar.

Dean made his MMA debut in 2001, securing a win against Randy Halmot at GC 6 – Caged Beasts via chokehold. Spanning from 2001 to 2007, his professional fighting career comprises five fights, with a record of two wins and three losses.

Dean’s wins were characterized by his versatile fighting skills:

  1. Timothy Mendoza at KOTC 39 – Hitmaster (August 2004): A masterclass in striking, this fight ended in a TKO due to Dean’s knee strike and subsequent punches in the second round.
  2. Randy Halmot at GC 6 – Caged Beasts (September 2001): Dean’s MMA debut was marked with a victory. He secured a win through a submission via choke in the first round.

Dean’s losses were marked by a knockout and two submissions:

  1. Dave Legeno at Cage Rage 22 – Hard as Hell (July 2007): Dean’s final professional fight ended in a loss due to a TKO following an eye injury.
  2. Jung Gyu Choi at Spirit MC 9 (October 2006): Choi managed to secure a victory via a keylock submission.
  3. Joe Riggs at RITC 43 – The Match (January 2003): This bout ended in a TKO in favor of Riggs.

Despite the rollercoaster that was his fighting career, Herb Dean’s legacy in MMA is undeniable. As one of the sport’s leading referees, his influence and contribution extend far beyond his personal record.

Later on in his career, Herb also acquired a second-degree black belt in BJJ.

Herb Dean’s Career As A Referee

Herb Dean’s experience as a fighter has helped him become one of the best referees in MMA. He understands the sport from a fighter’s and a referee’s perspectives. This allows him to make quick decisions during matches that keep the fighters safe and within the rules. Herb Dean is also known for being very fair with his calls.

In April of 2004, Herb made his refereeing debut on the UFC 47 card. At that event, he would oversee two main card fights.

He has never or very rarely been accused of favoritism or bias, which is something that can’t be said for all referees. Herb Dean is what we would call a gold standard when it comes to Combat Sports referees. After the conclusion of UFC 109 and UFC 160, Dana White said that he believes Dean is the best referee in the business.

Herb Dean’s Acting Career

Herb Dean has seen his net worth increase due to his acting endeavors. Notably, he is recognized for his roles in “Here Comes the Boom” (2012), “The Divine Fury” (2019), and “A Violent Man” (2017).

Dean’s appearances extend to other movies and TV shows, including “Monster Brawl” (2011), “Ballerina I’m Not” (2017), “Fatal Femmes Fighting: Asian Invasion” (2008), and “King of the Cage 16 – Sudden Impact” (2004). Moreover, he has graced the screens in “Mujer Con Pantalones” (2004), “Blinky Bill: The Movie” (2015), and “Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero” (2016).

While there is no additional information concerning Dean’s acting career, his influence in the Mixed Martial Arts industry is prominent, and there will be many opportunities for him to make future TV and movie appearances if he wishes.

Herb Dean’s Multiple “Referee of the Year” Awards

The Fighters Only Magazine’s World MMA Awards Referee of the Year award has been given to a referee each year since 2010. Herb has won that award ten times between 2010 and 2022.

Herb Dean has officiated some of the biggest fights in UFC history. He was the referee for Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz, one of the most iconic rivalries in MMA. He was also the referee for Khabibs’ dominating fight over Connor McGregor. Herb Dean is always keeping safety first, but he also knows how to let the fighters go at it and put on a show for the fans.

Herb Dean’s Training & Certification Courses

In his capacity as a certified trainer and referee in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts, Herb Dean contributes to the sport by running an exclusive course through the Fights Academy. This intensive training course, typically offered over three days, equips attendees with the knowledge and skills required to become licensed referees, judges, and inspectors within the MMA industry.

Dean meticulously guides attendees through various topics during the course, including the ABC Unified Rules of MMA, ethics, referee duties, bout results, event logistics, and more. He combines different teaching methods, from classroom lectures and written tests to in-cage demonstrations and video presentations.

His extensive understanding of the sport and its dynamics forms the foundation of this course, as Dean seeks to develop a new generation of skilled and knowledgeable MMA professionals. Charging a course fee of $3,000, which covers the complete training program, Dean’s goal is to ensure safety and fair play in MMA, highlighting the importance of understanding when to stop a fight to prevent unnecessary damage. As an active entrepreneur, Dean also uses his experience and knowledge to set high standards in MMA officiating and training.

How Much Does Herb Dean Get Paid?

Not that you know how great of a referee he is; you might wonder how much a “Gold Standard” referee makes in a year. Well, Herb receives about $1500 per fight in the UFC. However, he also works as a judge for some other MMA promotions. Based on some calculations, Herb makes about $500.000 per year. He further supplements his income through a gym he runs called Fight Academy Pasadena (aka Herb Dean MMA).

What is Herb Dean’s Net Worth?

Herb Dean’s net worth is estimated at around $2.5 million as of 2021. The bulk of his wealth comes from his prosperous career as an MMA referee, and he has been widely hailed as the gold standard in MMA. He also runs his own gym, certification business and has appeared in multiple TV shows and movies.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, Herb Dean is one of the best referees in UFC history. His experience as a fighter and his dedication to safety make him a perfect fit for the job. The next time you watch a UFC match, watch Herb Dean and see how he keeps the fighters safe and the match exciting.

You can visit Herb Dean’s website at https://www.herbdean.com for more details.

If you want to learn more about referees, you can also check out our biography about “Big” John McCarthy, and you can also check out our guide to the UFC rules & regulations that referees must be deeply familiar with.

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