During a recent episode of the Jaxxon Podcast, UFC referee Herb Dean shared his experiences from the infamous post-fight brawl between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Dean, who officiated that fight, recalled his attempts to keep Khabib under control as tensions escalated. Despite his efforts, Khabib eventually leapt out of the Octagon, igniting chaos by attacking McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis. Dean admitted that once the melee erupted, the situation was beyond what he could manage alone.
While discussing Dean’s experience, podcast host Rampage Jackson humorously suggested that Dean could handle Khabib if something ever “popped off” outside the cage. Rampage, who has trained with Dean, emphasized the referee’s self-defence abilities. Dean, however, downplayed the idea, mentioning that although Khabib is smaller, he has heard stories of Khabib giving UFC heavyweight Daniel Cormier a tough time in training. Dean doubted his own chances against Khabib in a real confrontation, playfully noting that Cormier “could just sit on him” if things escalated.
A Brief on Herb Dean’s Fighting Background
Herb Dean, long regarded as one of MMA’s top referees, also has a background as a professional fighter. With a record of 2-3 in MMA, he made his pro debut in 2001 and fought his last bout in 2007. Known for his strong grasp of jiu-jitsu and striking skills, Dean earned respect for his knowledge of fight mechanics, which has contributed to his reputation as a highly reliable referee in the Octagon.
Fan Perspective
As someone who follows MMA closely, I believe Rampage Jackson’s confidence in Dean may be optimistic. Khabib’s grappling and pressure skills are legendary, and he has demonstrated strength that even high-level fighters, including heavier training partners, struggle against. Although Dean has a solid jiu-jitsu foundation, handling someone with Khabib’s relentless wrestling in an impromptu encounter would be a tall order. Rampage was likely being supportive, but realistically, Khabib’s skills would make him a challenging matchup for almost anyone.
