Let the game continue! Dana White downplays controversy between Poatan, Ciryl Gane, and Herb Dean after fight at the White House: 'Fouls happen'

Poatan shaken after being knocked out by Gane at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

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It's no secret that Dana White appreciates Alex Poatan 's attitude , showing a willingness to fight frequently, but at the same time, he makes it clear that he won't pick a fight with referee Herb Dean and the Athletic Commissions. At UFC Casa Branca , an event held in June in Washington (USA), the Brazilian was brutally knocked out by Ciryl Gane in his heavyweight debut (up to 120,2 kg) and blamed the referee for the defeat. However, despite the veteran's irritation, the company president indicates that nothing can be done.

In the post- UFC Vegas 119 press conference , Dana White tried to downplay the controversy involving Poatan, the Frenchman, and the referee. After reviewing the fight, the Brazilian assured everyone that he was fine and explained that he only lost because he received a "lucky punch" from Gane and a series of illegal strikes to the back of the head.

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Feeling wronged, the striker disapproved of 'Bon Gamin's' conduct, harshly criticized Herb, and asked for him to be fired. However, in the official's understanding, what happened is part of MMA and doesn't mean Gane is a dirty athlete, that the referee doesn't know the rules, or that the pair acted in bad faith.

“I think that whenever someone fights, the referee should be watching everything that happens. I say this all the time and I'll repeat it: no refereeing is perfect. It could be an NBA game, an NFL game, or a fight. It will simply never be perfect. But, in the heat of the action, when everything is happening and the guys are trying to get out of the situation, sometimes some fouls happen,” said the official.

"Maybe Herb should have said, 'Watch your neck' or warned him, something like that, but I don't know. I really don't have any opinion on that. That's something they'll have to sort out with the Commission, it's not my area," he concluded.

Watch Ciryl Gane's knockout of Alex Poatan at UFC White House.

HE JUST DID THAT 😮‍💨 @Ciryl_Gane creates an unforgettable moment as he earns the RD2 TKO victory! #UFCWhiteHouse LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus!

[Title fights presented by @Cryptocom ] pic.twitter.com/3gzvdR4kqe

— UFC (@ufc) June 15, 2026

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