Herb Dean in action during a UFC fight. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
In the co-main event of UFC Oklahoma , held last Saturday (18), Christian Leroy Duncan achieved the biggest victory of his career by defeating former middleweight title challenger (up to 83,9 kg) Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision of the judges. However, the Briton's triumph was marked by a controversy involving the refereeing of Herb Dean. Still in the second round, Duncan landed an illegal blow on his opponent, but the referee chose not to stop the fight or apply any penalty.
Dean's decision may have directly influenced the outcome of the fight. Although Duncan won by unanimous decision, one of the judges scored the fight 29-28. Had the referee stopped the action to warn the Briton and deducted a point for the infraction, that card could have ended in a draw, turning the official result into a majority decision.
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Photo: Moment of the illegal coup
Christian Leroy Duncan illegally kicked Jared Cannonier in round 2 of their fight
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) July 19, 2026
Herb Dean did not take a point or even stop the action#UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/38WMyUxBwk
Herb Dean was booed at UFC Oklahoma.
I've never heard a referee BOO'd more than Herb Dean tonight 😳 #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/kRBaTCMF7h
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) July 19, 2026
Referee Herb Dean was once again the target of public dissatisfaction during UFC Oklahoma . Considered one of the most renowned referees in MMA history, the American was greeted with boos from the crowd every time he entered the octagon to officiate.
The booing, however, wasn't limited to the co-main event. In every fight Dean was scheduled to referee, the audience reacted with expressions of disapproval as soon as he was announced in the octagon. The crowd's behavior highlights the tarnished image of the referee, frequently involved in discussions about controversial decisions in the organization's recent events.
Controversial move brings to mind the Poatan case.
Poatan shaken after being knocked out by Gane at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC
The incident brought to mind a situation that occurred in the co-main event of UFC White House , held on June 14th in Washington DC. On that occasion, Ciryl Gane defeated Alex Poatan by technical knockout after a series of ground strikes that generated intense debate among fans and experts.
The controversial moment occurred after the Frenchman landed a jab that knocked the Brazilian down. With Poatan trying to defend himself on the ground, Gane advanced to deliver ground and pound strikes until Herb Dean stopped the fight.
After the fight, videos and images of the aftermath began circulating on social media, fueling questions about the legality of some of the elbow strikes thrown by the former interim heavyweight champion. Some fans pointed out that certain attacks may have hit the back of Poatan's head, a protected area under the Unified Rules of MMA adopted by the UFC and the main athletic commissions in the United States.
Results from UFC Oklahoma City
MAIN CARD
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Dricus Du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Christian Leroy Duncan defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Chase Hooper defeated Mitch Ramirez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:15 of round 1.
Strawweight (up to 52,1 kg): Fatima Kline defeated Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Tommy McMillen defeated Alberto Montes by technical knockout (punches) at 3:29 of round 3.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Jose Miguel Delgado defeated Austin Bashi by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani defeated Seok Hyeon Ko by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Felipe Negão defeated Levi Rodrigues Jr. by technical knockout (punches) at 1:40 of round 2.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Ezra Elliott defeated Damien Anderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Alden Coria defeated Stewart Nicoll by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): RJ Harris defeated Alvin Hines by technical knockout (punches) at 1:40 of round 1.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Dione Barbosa defeated Anna Melisano by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:04 of round 1.
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