VIDEO: UFC referee addresses controversy in Poatan's fight and justifies himself; watch

Cyryl Gane won Alex Poatán No. UFC White HousePhoto: X / UFC News

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Even several days after the crushing defeat of Alex Poatán all with Cyryl Gane No. UFC White HouseThe fight continues to generate discussion. If the Brazilian showed himself... quite annoyed because he was hit by allegedly illegal blows from the Frenchman, it was referee Herb Dean's turn to come forward to show his version of the story and justify the actions in a video published on social media last Tuesday (17).

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In the video, the referee uses a tape measure and has the support of a colleague to explain the rule in a practical way. By showing the area of ​​the head that cannot be hit, Dean tried to argue that the attacks made by Gane against the Brazilian, even though they reached the limit, were legal.

“First of all, much respect to both fighters, Gane and Pereira. They both put on a great fight. The rule we're talking about regarding strikes to the back of the head is a bit confusing, as it's different from boxing. We focus on the back of the neck, which typically refers to the junction with the spine, with a variation of one inch on each side,” said the referee, who has been present at the world's largest MMA event for several years.

Herb Dean just responded to Alex Pereira with a video explaining the “Back of the Head” rule 👀

(via @HerbDeanMMA) https://t.co/9y2IDPgdq7 pic.twitter.com/lpPmwx2FBA

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 16, 2026

Poatan requested Herb Dean's dismissal.

Poatan focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

Very angry about the situation, the Brazilian went to social media last Tuesday (16) to appeal to other Ultimate athletes. According to him, this support would be necessary to get referees who make mistakes fired.

"This will only change when the fighters fight to remove the referee who makes this type of mistake. Let's prevent it before it happens to you! We have the strength to do it! I guarantee it," he wrote. Alex Poatán.