The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Mixed Martial Arts›Herb Dean
Sports • Mixed Martial Arts

Herb Dean

Herb Dean is an American mixed martial arts referee and former professional fighter.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Herb Dean is an American mixed martial arts referee and former professional fighter. He has officiated bouts for major promotions including the UFC and ONE Championship and is widely regarded as one of the best referees in MMA.

Early life and training

Herb Dean was born in Pasadena, California, and began training in martial arts at a young age. Sources indicate experience in disciplines including kickboxing, judo, and jiu-jitsu.

Professional fighting career

Before becoming a full-time referee, Dean competed as a professional mixed martial artist. His recorded MMA record is 2–3, with bouts taking place between 2001 and 2007.

Refereeing career

Dean became one of the most recognisable referees in mixed martial arts. He has officiated major bouts for the UFC and ONE Championship and is frequently described as a benchmark referee in the sport.

Reputation and awards

Dean is widely respected for his control of fights and decision-making inside the cage. Multiple sources describe him as one of the best referees in MMA, and he has received repeated referee-of-the-year recognition.

Key facts

  • Herb Dean is an American MMA referee and former professional fighter.
  • He has officiated major bouts for the UFC and ONE Championship.
  • His professional MMA record is 2 wins and 3 losses.
  • He is widely regarded as one of the best referees in MMA.
  • He has received repeated referee-of-the-year recognition.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Herb Dean?
Herb Dean is an American MMA referee and former professional fighter known for officiating major bouts in the UFC and other promotions.
Was Herb Dean a fighter before refereeing?
Yes. He had a short professional MMA career before becoming a referee.
What is Herb Dean’s professional MMA record?
His recorded professional MMA record is 2 wins and 3 losses.
Which promotions has Herb Dean worked for?
He has officiated for the UFC and ONE Championship, among others.
Why is Herb Dean well known in MMA?
He is widely regarded as one of the sport’s leading referees and has officiated many major fights.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Dean
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, role as MMA referee and former fighter, and professional record.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3077208/herb-dean
    Supports: Birth date and professional fight record.
  3. Sherdog — https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Herb-Dean-2648
    Supports: Professional MMA fight record and bout history.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/person/herb-dean/umc.cpc.cbaaq92qiw6n9kh5wbwazrdh
    Supports: Role as referee and former fighter; work with UFC and ONE Championship.
  5. Herb Dean Official — https://www.herbdean.com/about
    Supports: Background, martial arts training, and refereeing career summary.