Herb Dean addresses Alex Pereira's claims of illegal hits during UFC fight
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 5:02 AM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Herb Dean defended his officiating during UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026, in response to Alex Pereira's accusations regarding illegal strikes by Ciryl Gane. Pereira alleged that Dean failed to act on strikes to the back of his head and criticized Dean's officiating as inadequate. Dean clarified that the rule concerning strikes to the back of the head refers to the nape of the neck, not the back of the head. Following these allegations, there has been no indication from the UFC or the commission regarding a review of the match decision.
- •Event: UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026.
- •Ciryl Gane defeated Alex Pereira by second-round TKO for the interim heavyweight title.
- •Pereira requested a review of the fight and an instant rematch.
- •Dean explained the back-of-head rule in a video response.
- •No official review or overturn of the fight result has been announced.
- 5:02 AMYahoo Sports — Herb Dean Fires Back At Alex Pereira's 'Illegal Blow' Claims, Defends His Officiating
"Herb Dean broke his silence on Alex Pereira's 'illegal blow' accusations from UFC Freedom 250, defending his officiating by clarifying the back-of-head rule.
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