• View topic - White's latest officiating rant focuses on praise for Dean

Quote:

Generally speaking, when the subject of referees and mixed martial arts officials is brought up around UFC president Dana White, one can safely expect a profanity laced tirade to follow.

For instance, in March 2009, White openly questioned the performances of both Rick Fike and Yves Lavigne after a pair of gaffes at UFC 96 in Ohio. And of course, Steve Mazzagatti has entrenched himself as White's favorite whipping boy.

But following this past Saturday's "UFC 109: Relentless" event in Las Vegas, White wanted to talk about one of the night's officials for a very different reason.

"I wish I would have done this during the press conference," White told a small group of reporters. "You always hear me talking about the refereeing. I'm going to say it again: Herb Dean is one of the best referees in this business. Actually, I think he's the best.

"If you had to do a highlight reel of great stoppages, incredible stoppages, the entire highlight reel would be Herb Dean."

White was especially impressed by Dean's UFC 109 handling of the main-card contest between Mike Swick and Paulo Thiago.

During the bout's second round, Swick rushed forward after a successful strike and was wobbled by a counter-punch. When Swick hit the floor, Thiago locked in a tight D'arce choke and rendered his opponent unconscious with stunning quickness.

Dean was in the right position to make the call and halted the contest quickly after Swick went momentarily limp.

"[Thiago] had a choke that most guys don't know," White said. "[Dean] saw this thing, saw the choke being set-up and then moved right in and knew exactly when he was out. He was out quick."

via mmacrypt.com

Posted via web from MMACrypt.com