Herb Dean Let Magomedov Eye Poke and Pull Hair With ZERO Point Deductions: Why It's Ruining MMA

Alright, you guys, we gotta talk. Seriously. Every single week, us MMA fans, the media, the fighters themselves, we’re throwing our hands up over the officiating. Whether it’s a wild call from a ref, a scorecard that makes you wanna scream, or a ref straight up ignoring the rules, something always goes down. It leaves you absolutely dumbfounded, and UFC Baku this past weekend? It was a prime example, a real gut punch for anyone who loves fair fights.

We saw two major screw-ups that highlighted the mess we’re in. It started with the very first fight on the prelims: Tahir Abdullayev vs. Jefferson Nascimento. Both these guys were making their UFC debuts, big talents from the regional scene, so you want a fair shot. But ref Jim Perdios? He made sure this card started with a groan instead of a bang.

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Perdios's Preliminary Card Blunder Proved Everyone's Worst Fears

The fight was already a snoozer, not much offense. Then it got weird. Perdios warned Nascimento for lack of activity, but UFC Stats showed Nascimento was actually outworking Abdullayev in the first two rounds! Even more egregious, Abdullayev landed a punch AFTER the horn to end the second round. Did Perdios deduct a point? Nope. Nothing. It felt like that Holly Holm vs. Germaine de Randamie mess all over again.

Then came the finish. Abdullayev drops Nascimento, trying to rain down shots. Nascimento, from the bottom, grabs onto Abdullayev. That’s when Perdios steps in and stops the fight! Nascimento was instantly protesting, getting right back to his feet, and get this: even the UFC's own commentary team couldn't defend the stoppage. You can’t start a card like that, it sucks the energy right out of the room.

Herb Dean's Latest Controversy Clearly SHOWED MMA's Problem

As if that wasn't enough, the co-main event brought out the biggest head-scratcher, with none other than Herb Dean as the ref for Shara “Bullet” Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira. Dean is a longtime ref, sure, but his best days are long gone. He’s practically a regular name in officiating controversies. Alex Pereira is even accusing Dean of terrible officiating in his UFC Freedom 250 fight!

This fight started with Pereira dropping Magomedov in the first. While Pereira was on top, trying to land shots, Magomedov pulled Pereira’s hair. Multiple times! Obvious fouling, right? You’d expect a disqualification, or at least a point deduction. But Dean? Nothing. Only a "hard warning." Okay, so a hard warning, you'd think the next foul means a point comes off, right? Nope. After a boring second round, in the third, Magomedov lands an eye poke on Pereira. Dean’s reaction? Nothing! Zero point deduction. And that, my friends, played a pivotal role in the outcome, because Magomedov won on the judges’ scorecards.

Had Dean actually done his job, Pereira could have won, or it would have been a draw at best for Magomedov. Andrew Richardson over at MMA Mania totally nailed it: these issues are too common, and every time there's an outcry for more scrutiny, nothing ever changes. This writer gets it, state athletic commissions, government oversight, all that jazz. But seriously, how much more is it going to take before someone steps up and actually shakes things up? How much more outrage do we need? It’s time for some real consequences here. But, honestly? Don't hold your breath for it.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.