🔴 8 MINUTES AGO: Dana White Shocked the MMA World as He Announced a Heavy Punishment for Referee Herb Dean, Who Officiated the Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Fight at UFC 322, Citing a Highly Controversial Mistake
The MMA world was thrown into absolute chaos just moments ago after UFC President Dana White made a stunning announcement regarding referee Herb Dean, following the outrage surrounding the high-stakes bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. The official ruling from the octagon had already sparked a wildfire across social media, with fans, analysts, and even fellow fighters questioning the integrity of the decision. But no one expected the UFC president himself to step forward and publicly declare that the referee would face serious punishment for what White called “a critical and unacceptable officiating failure.”
The controversy began in the final moments of the second round, a round in which the momentum shifted dramatically. Jack Della Maddalena had landed a sharp combination that clearly rattled Makhachev, forcing the lightweight champion to backpedal before attempting a desperate takedown. In a shocking turn, Herb Dean intervened—prematurely, according to many—halting the action after declaring that Makhachev had suffered a “fight-ending injury” and awarding him a technical victory. The audience erupted in confusion. For several minutes, no one understood what had happened. Replays shown inside the arena only fueled frustration: not only was there no visible illegal strike, but Makhachev appeared to be regaining his balance in the seconds before Dean stepped in.
The aftermath was immediate and explosive. Jack Della Maddalena’s corner protested on the spot, demanding a review. Fans inside the arena chanted “REPLAY! REPLAY!” while commentators struggled to interpret the sudden stoppage. Even veteran fighters watching cageside were visibly stunned. Former champions took to X (formerly Twitter) within minutes, some calling the stoppage “the worst of the year,” others going as far as to claim it “robbed the sport of fairness.”
For hours after the fight, videos of the questionable moment circulated across every social platform. Slow-motion replays suggested that Makhachev was never out, never unconscious, and never in immediate danger. Instead, it appeared that Herb Dean misread the sequence entirely, mistaking a slip for a collapse. The backlash snowballed so quickly that fans were already demanding an investigation before the post-fight press conference had even begun.
That is where the real shock came.
Dana White, usually composed when dealing with officiating controversies, appeared visibly furious as he addressed the media. His voice was firm, his tone heavy with disappointment.
“I’ve reviewed the footage a dozen times. This was a mistake—one of the most unacceptable mistakes we’ve seen in years,” White said.
“There are standards for refereeing. Tonight, those standards were not met. A decision like that affects careers, rankings, and the integrity of our sport. That’s why Herb Dean will face disciplinary action.”
The room erupted. Even the journalists present, used to years of Dana White’s blunt honesty, seemed stunned. Never in the modern era had he so openly declared punitive action toward a referee—especially one as respected and experienced as Herb Dean.
Sources inside the UFC regulatory department reported that the punishment may include a suspension from future title fights, mandatory retraining, and even potential removal from officiating high-profile matchups. Though nothing is finalized, insiders claim that White’s tone made one thing clear: the UFC will not tolerate officiating errors that change the outcome of a fight.
Meanwhile, reactions from the fighters involved have only intensified the drama.
Jack Della Maddalena, visibly disappointed and emotionally drained, told reporters:
“I came here to win clean. I came here to fight. What happened tonight wasn’t right, and everybody saw it.”
“I respect Islam, but that stoppage wasn’t real. Let us fight. That’s all I ask.”
Islam Makhachev, on the other hand, maintained a more reserved stance, though he admitted the ending was “confusing.”
“I didn’t expect the fight to be stopped. I was still fighting,” Makhachev said.
“If they want a rematch, I’m here.”
The MMA community erupted once again after those words, with fans demanding an immediate rematch under strict officiating review.
As of this moment, the story continues to evolve rapidly. UFC 322, expected to close the year with a decisive and thrilling matchup, has instead become the center of one of the biggest officiating scandals in recent UFC history.
Dana White ended the press conference with one final statement that sent shockwaves throughout the sport:
“We cannot let this happen again. Not at this level. Not in the UFC.”
The world now waits to see what consequences Herb Dean will face—and whether the UFC will overturn the result or schedule a rematch that could define both fighters’ careers.
One thing is certain:
The fallout from UFC 322 has only just begun.
