Herb Dean REACTS TO Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili, Explains Telling Fighter "Work"; Criticism

[@DonaldGreer84]

At least he does interviews and talks about it. Respect

[@CoverVako]

Yeah with a person who is friends with for decades 😂😂😂 I’d cook him on the spot under 2 minutes, I love Helen but any non biased reported would’ve cooked this crooked guy.

[@CinephobiaRadio]

Was good to hear Herb’s perspective on the ref controversies in the O’Malley fight. Thanks for catching up with him.

[@joshlay4223]

We need to be putting links in description. Herb deserves a clickable link to his website. Especially as he's trying to grow a competent referee base for our sport.

[@Johhnnyy]

I really appreciate these interview, I think most of us viewers love herb dean, it’s nice seeing content of him outside of the ring

[@pointnine5030]

Herb “let’s work” dean

[@EverettWenzel-ww6sb]

Herb has had some bad mess ups but I still rock with him. He does a good job most of the time.

[@justinklenk]

That's how I feel too. We judge the ref based on his overall competency and fairness, as long as their messups aren't too bad - even though Herb's had several of his own bad ones.

[@griggsz9649]

@@justinklenk he’s been a referee since I was like 10…I’m a 26 year old man, it’s inevitable that he would make mistakes when being involved in countless fights for over a decade he is just human at the end of the day

[@WanSheTong]

Ye better than goddard who stops fights after one punch.

[@jackpace6845]

@@WanSheTong Goddard is inexcusable. Dean is a way better ref

[@barlo90]

Herb is hands down one of the worst refs in the business

[@tiagopinto365]

Herb is all class and the best! We all make mistakes and he's always open yo improve 🔥

[@ShawnWing-t1o]

Yeah but he's full of shit. Lol telling merab to work when him and Sean are both on their feet and merab was engaging more than Sean is crazy. Plus fighters take rounds off. It's always fucking been a thing that they do that. So saying oh you need to be balls to the wall the whole 5 rounds. But Sean yeah no he's a striker so he can do whatever

[@Tyler-g4f]

But merab was literally hitting O'Malley while being told to work

[@jackpace6845]

Nah Merab was eating up time... Great guy...but his fight style = run and be a btch until you get a takedown, then almost do no damage but control the opponent. So fun to watch.

[@Coolhand69]

@@jackpace6845 wait for the grounded knees to be implemented in November, things will be more like a real fight

[@SmsLcs09]

Merab wasn’t throwing significant strikes he was just tapping Merab it’s not the same as punching like he said every strike should be potentially fight ending

[@barlo90]

Herb is trash wat did u expect

[@redghost1567]

Every comment here is delusional And probably the people who commented.

[@Joe_Musashi]

Great interview! Thank you Helen Yee and Herb Dean.

[@gd_bgy]

Dawg i genuinely fuck w herb so much, dude has always seemed mad humble and cool as hell

[@cattalkbmx]

Like fr fr? Straight up bussin no cap?

[@divyjain123456]

He didn't tell Usman to "work" when he was foot stomping Masvidal for 25 mins. This dude has sold out. Don't trust him.

[@jonathanmoore7582]

He's been doing it more recently, Shavkat v Neal comes to mind including right before the finnish.

[@amersalaka1764]

that was 4 years ago

[@divyjain123456]

@@amersalaka1764 its the same dude though. He did to Lawler too but almost noone remembers that.

[@nope-cp3xn]

Those foot stomps were lowkey revolutionary.

[@JewishBettor]

Paid actor Herb

[@DonPeppinoo]

This is the interview we all wanted! Thank you Helen! Great job, great questions!! Hopefully next time we get that Herb rap name.

[@Proj3ctSpartan]

Love herb Dean and helen

[@jcs192]

Herb doing a PR media tour

[@MMARick]

Come on guys let’s work!

[@malikak2661]

Herb you're the best ..

[@alcottdevalte7440]

At what?!?

[@hmsp7799]

He’s not even in the top 5 best ref rn , dude is one overrated referee

[@malikak2661]

@@hmsp7799 stfu ... Even your breathing is overrated

[@malikak2661]

@@alcottdevalte7440 at foooking your mama

[@ethernetify]

@@hmsp7799 u prefer marc not so goddard instead?

[@johnchathas1957]

Herb is definitely the gold standard. 🐐

[@alexchino12]

Nah he sucks now 😂

[@omtakes]

tldr; Refs just need to ref. iirc, Herb wasnt even giving Merab more than a few seconds before he started saying "work" Herbacious was coaching in the octagon - overstepping his referee credentials. Merab will knee your thighs and back for as long as he wants, just like a striker will just throw jabs until the other fighter closes the void to avoid being at the end of the punches. If I want to see striking, I’ll watch ONE FC/Glory Kickboxing, this is MMA, where balancing training in striking/grappling is a big part of the sport. If the UFC don’t like a grappler only fighter, like that dude Kape fought last, then they let them go.

[@pewpewbbqs]

Herb Dean was NEVER my friend

[@stephenmarkelov1829]

lol why ?

[@michaelmashburn6068]

​@@stephenmarkelov1829 it's an old Dana White quote when he was referring to Stitch Duran

[@stephenmarkelov1829]

@@michaelmashburn6068 oh ok

[@agi2160]

Dean's herb was my friend never

[@theboogeyman9813]

And Weidman was never your son.

[@theboogeyman9813]

Still one of the best in the business.

[@barlo90]

😂😂 worst*

[@Glitch4Twitch]

I luv how Herb handled this controversy. Class act. I may not agree w/ some of his calls, but I understand how he sees it via the rules.

[@watchmanonthewall14]

Excellent interview. I like both Helen and Herb.

[@JosePerez-uq8zz]

He got paid by Dana white to favor O'Malley

[@VegaH_]

Herb explained the rules and people still didn’t listen 🤮😭🤮

[@roythousand13]

People these days are stupid! That's the only explanation I can give!

[@pointnine5030]

Cmon let’s work ! let’s work !

[@NOT-A-Monolith]

I think herb was more active also cause it's the sphere, And he knew the last fight some might have found it boring. And he wanted action and moee on their case. Cause he knew the money that was invested into it. Poor ref always feel bad for them when people all gang up

[@ReNeDesCartes782]

Dude , go listen to big John on this matter. Herb made few mistakes in the fight for sure.

[@kingdavid5932]

Herb said he was asking Merab to "work" because he thinks it'll make the fight more like the contender series and he believes that's what the UFC would like to see... THAT IS NOT A RULE

[@ASFPV]

Herb does know he be f’ing up. 😂😂 he definitely getting pressured matchmakers 🥴

[@JewishBettor]

Matchmakers have nothing to do with the referee they are two different entities the refs are assigned by the governing commission. These guys are blackmailed and selected extremely carefully. Herb has been and still is in on the act for his whole career.

[@donjuan3626]

Herb dean is very great at explaining his point of view and to me i got a new understanding . i was already on team herb dean this just solidifys why

[@Eric-hc9df]

When I click a video about Herb Dean talking about fights. I could do without listening to Herb talk about rapping for 5 minutes!

[@alisuperhornet]

Who said anybody "has to" finish the fight? maybe they are OK with a decision. I don't think it's for the ref to try and force a finish

[@phil6932]

People are just stupid. Herb is a legend

[@tomjohnson8325]

Its possible for him to be a good ref and at the same time be heavily compromised

[@JewishBettor]

He's a paid actor

[@TheSteviejaymack]

Nothing nicer than seeing these two

[@oscarrobertson5097]

Props to Herb for shouting out ...Tobe Nwigwe.. Dope Artist

[@BrianJ-929]

Herb dean seems like a cool guy, open minded, doesn't act like he knows everything and willing to always get better

[@bumsteer7594]

Helen you are the best! Why can’t I vote for you for best mma personality?

[@jamesbarbosa1991]

Herb Hit em’ Again Dean!!!!! He’s not out, hit em again!!!!

[@CoverVako]

Herb u are crooked and no amount of self explanatory videos would change my mind, he made at least 5 major mistakes in that fight. Unfortunately he’ll stay as ref for a long time cuz it’s important to have a referee that can be bought by money in order for ufc to push “their” guys.

[@franciscomarino2757]

Herb you are great at your job, its hard sometimes, respect

[@zz-.-]

1:40 I’m not a Helen fan but credit where it’s due great questions great vibe and great guesses on the names here those were perfect guesses

[@HelenYeeSports]

Why are you not a Helen fan? 😞

[@zz-.-]

@@HelenYeeSports honest feedback - I don’t like some of the older schtick, it doesn’t resonate with me. A bit bimbo-ish, and sometimes it felt like you leaned into that vs rejected it, so it turned me off from your interviews. Not as bad as Nina Drama’s schtick, that’s unbearable and honestly I can’t believe her BF/husband is aligned with her that it’s ok, but hey I digress. Maybe I should have more humility than judgment, and all of that is perceived and it’s all just a professional finding their way and you’ve become better for it, and good for you. I’ll go with that. And because you asked directly (and bc I’m realizing this as I type it out) perhaps I am a Helen fan. You win 😁✌️✨

[@hurricaneaquatics]

I like Herb and he does an overall great job. I disagree with him on "advancing position". That is not the referee's job and he doesn't know the game plan. They can do whatever they want as long as they're not just laying on them. What he isn't telling you is that he most likely had a directive from the UFC to NOT allow any of that especially at Noche UFC because the Sheik and everyone was there. It isn't about impressing some foreign Sheik, it's about the competition and the athletes. It is absolutely not his job to interfere with the athlete as Rob was working hard.

[@oddmanout7755]

Herb is spot on here.

[@lockethomas7165]

Big respect from England Erb.

[@drownedcreation]

Of course he's doing an interview about it; this is the best way to pretend he was just reffing. But he did what he was told and dana will protect him.

[@nickjohnston7286]

Lmao herb Dean is trying to justify him stopping the fight in the first 3 seconds and it’s super suspect 😂

[@incredible5587]

We want out fights to look like the fights on the contender series. Do single fight contracts. That seemed like a reach at the end to get Suga one last chance to KO Merab. Herbs good so i dont think he had that intention but would not surprise me.

[@ufc_card_fiend]

Helen you are a gem ❤

[@daniellovegreen4288]

The only ref to make it in UFC 5.

[@The-downfall]

Herb is one of the best, I see a lot of criticism after this last ufc main event, but he did a fine job, it was kind of a crazy fight at moments, and he didn’t want Merab just laying and praying, none of us want that, Herb is legit, one of the best guys in there

[@GiorgioKakh]

People have to start boicoting against him. People dont want him reffing again. Especially after horrible reffing in Ommeley vs Merab

[@Skylar-Rayne57]

Great video

[@sergustus_]

Herb is a nice dude without question, but just dogwater at his job. It's really time to exchange all of them so the sport can develope.

[@berniemac4422]

Herb Dean does a great job..!

[@Zeeeee19]

Nah herzog is the best!

[@barlo90]

😂😂

[@BradT_Herping]

7:01 🤣🤣🤣🤣 herb telling it how it is!!!

[@theboogeyman9813]

The thing about finishing the fight seems weird to me. I get it's more exciting. But their job is not to be exciting. Their job is to win the fight.

[@Chorbus]

And his job isn’t to decide what’s more entertaining either. He has zero right to do anything other than enforce the rules as they come.

[@JustAL1988]

I think 🤔 he was trying to influence the outcome of the fight between Merab & Sean.... let them work

[@Chorbus]

There’s no excuse. He was 100% influencing the fight and this interview proves it. He wants the fights to be more entertaining and tried to do what he could to make it more entertaining. He was directly coaching after warning Tim Welch about coaching another fighter. This smells like some insider gambling stuff and at best Herb being a “company man”. Either way, there was no reason for “timidity” to be called at all during the fight. Herb is in the wrong and fucked up. When the commentary team is shocked, confused and trashing the ref live on PPV that should give you some insight on how bad it was.

[@conspiracybear1564]

Herb was doing what's known in the ref game as game management or, in his case, fight management. He was absolutely trying to influence the fight when his job is safety and rules that's it.

[@bubbag3176]

Herb is morphing into Busta Rhymes

[@JulianBoyce]

Some of the best personalities in UFC are the refs - Marc 'wink' Goddard, Jason 'tight gloves' Herzog, no-nonsense Keith Dean, and of course, Herb "namaste" Dean!

[@buzzardscry1383]

Herb should have been in the co-main event. We would have seen a show

[@HustlerJerbear]

Helen Yee has an Americanized white sounding voice, and not a foreign Asian accent.

[@juandemarko8348]

HERB DEAN THE GOLD STANDARD!!!❤🙏🇺🇸

[@vaellanshanmuru6405]

I like herb but his last fight was very biased against merab. The reason merab lost his position in 5th round because herb kept telling him to work.

[@pepe7drum]

You don't see this shit on other sports, a ref giving an interview, kudos to Herb is not an easy job what he does but still he is one of the best

[@davidknicks]

Helen yee is the hottest sports interviewer!!!

[@cozy_king]

And Laura Sanko, too.

[@saynotothegreatreset]

​@@cozy_king Megan olivi

[@Last_Chance.]

Arianna Celeste is the hottest sports interviewer of all time

[@InnerLuminosity]

Nina Drama enters chat

[@marcelotapia800]

@@InnerLuminosity she isn't a sports interviewer dummy but youre clearly an idiot

[@nik07nik]

You didnt ask him why he tried to stop Omally at the end. Everyone thumbs down this fluff piece.

[@KwikyFN]

great explanation tbh.. cool to hear his side to everything.

[@itaikizner2986]

it is not about how herb wants the fight to look like its about how the fighters choose to. he should only tell guys to work unless there is 0 contact between them or stalling on the ground

[@ButtaMOBLA23]

Herb Dean's first Album: No romance in the Octagon

[@NM_BE]

Herb much respect to you

[@IsiahGarcia-kd4ke]

I wish merab and herb dean got in the ring and the ref of that fight keeps tellin herb to get to work

[@seaniedub227]

The OGs remember when Herb was known as the gold standards. Sad to see in recent years the public has kinda turned on him. You do it long enough you’ll make mistakes and that’s inevitable

[@Milkshakeman133]

Herb makes mistakes, like us all. He still a legend 🔥💯

[@iotarask77]

Herb has a point. Merab didn’t make attempts towards finishing the fight, he was just riding out his superior grappling to control the fight. Just not sure why he stood in the way after the kissing, Sean could have smoked Merab badly.

[@bfairchilds2283]

Merab exposed omally and herb!!!

[@JosephMartin-xw3wh]

He is the goat ! He has experience and always gives a fighter the chance to comeback or win! He may have mad on mistakes in all his fights and that was with Robbie Lawyer who was in a sub and okay and Herb thought he went out and stoped it but even Robby said “ don’t worry about it,your a hell of a ref!” N that’s the highest praise you can receive as a referee! 🤙

[@Amun27]

Not sure if knees on the ground to the body would end a fight? Has he not seen GSP v. Serra 2?

[@raventalks2776]

I absolutely love Herb Dean. He made a mistake with the shady “work” stuff. I do think he had a bet on the fight, but he’s made just a couple mistakes in a long amazing career. I can forgive this ❤

[@CoverVako]

Stop stop stop. Work work work. Make it make sense dude

[@MAkAVeLlIiii]

Herb would put Dana in a arm bar in round 1

[@Jack_The_Mastiff]

Where did you find him

[@josephawc]

love herb but why does it matter if somebodys looking for the finish or not, theyre looking for a win. it shouldnt matter what that looks like

[@emanuel81111]

Herb Dean "protteritec yo´self before i stop the bout , protteritec yo´self before i stop the bout , cause straight right to yo´face is bad fo yo´ health"

[@girl-aus-jamrock]

Everyone messes up their jobs at times. People need to give him a break!

[@sydneydance]

Herb's explanations were so good and on point. Nice guy!

[@emmyclement3231]

A whole load of bluster from an otherwise cool dude. He simply wanted Merab to endanger himself

[@micromacro1939]

the great Herb Dean ✌👋

[@barlo90]

😂😂

[@Chris-hj2ym]

Herb the man

[@waywordprairie922]

I wish herb woulda told merab after kissing "thats assault brother"

[@drduandada4218]

Herb you’re the best referee in the MMA and there’s no mistake about it. Thanks Schmelen Yee Sports

[@fxandrei]

He is deflecting hard when talking about the "lets work" with merab. He never did that to any other fighter. Imagine doing that to izzy, or other counter fighter, or maybe jon jones.

[@vivekkene8205]

So the fans who love you and can't wait to see you... ?

[@henrychinaski8554]

not sure who's duh mber helen or herb but helen is sellin it so make some money baby

[@kaitizapan4398]

Rap name Let's work Herb

[@alcottdevalte7440]

Herb and Marc should go to boxing. Just done a terrible job in MMA for a long time now.

[@barlo90]

Couldn't agree more

[@zionjones6415]

Herbs a bit of an awkward guy but I always love when he refs fights

[@kingjames1586]

Herb be smoke’n the Gonj

[@Zachzma12]

Please internet do your thing. Find his artist name 😁

[@Coolhand69]

Herb dean, the aluminum standard himself!

[@whatttxd]

You know damn sure you can’t have a nice lil chitchat with all these other roid head referees Herb‘s the man!

[@ainokea4u]

He's kind of an awkward dude, good ref though. He explained the whole working to finish the fight very well.