Former champions criticize controversial referee decision in UFC 306 title fight … “It was almost as if he had bet on O'Malley”

Referee Herb Dean criticized for “work” orders at UFC 306

During the UFC 306 title fight between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili, referee Herb Dean warned the two several times that they had to keep fighting because he suspected that the Georgian was trying to delay the action – even though that was not the case.

These orders sparked confusion and criticism among UFC commentators, with Jon Anik and Joe Rogan even calling the warnings “crazy” and “insane,” after which the Georgian left the fight as the winner.

Former UFC fighter Kenny Florian even said that Dean's calls contained “some bias” against O'Malley. Two other UFC legends echoed that sentiment today – albeit with much harsher words toward the veteran official.

TJ Dillashaw and Quinton Jackson discuss controversial referee decisions

While analyzing the UFC 306 show on the Jaxxon Podcast, former light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and former bantamweight king TJ Dillashaw couldn’t believe what they were seeing as Dean repeatedly tried to intervene.

“This is complete nonsense, you can't tell two fighters to train when they're already on their feet,” said Dillashaw, whose anger at the referees grew the longer the replay went on.

“I could run in circles if I wanted to. You can't tell me to work… It's not like I'm braking at the cage, we're striking – and you're telling me to work, like I could run into something now because you're teaching me how to fight. The referee shouldn't be involved like that.”

“I thought that was pretty damn weird. It was almost like he was banking on O'Malley… Like he wanted Merab to keep going so O'Malley could catch him with something – that was weird.”

Jackson then suggested that after five straight fights that ended by decision, UFC President Dana White may have been forced to have a stern word with the referee before the start of the main event of UFC 306.

“I think Dana White probably put a lot of pressure on him because some of those fights were boring and the referees can control that a little bit by buying time.

“You're at The Sphere, there have been some boring fights and Dana White is probably saying, 'Hey, this fight has to be exciting,' and this fight has the potential to be very boring.”

“It makes sense when we're on the ground,” replied Dillashaw, who noted that in all his years at the highest level of mixed martial arts, he has never seen a referee intervene for such an obvious mistake.

“If I'm in your coverage and we're not doing anything, it's 'let's work or I'll leave you standing,' but what do you do when you're standing? I've never seen a referee do that.”

UFC fighters have the right to request certain referees not to officiate their fights. Merab Dvalishvili's next fight is likely to be against 18-0 contender Umar Nurmagomedov.

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