What a phase! Amidst controversy, Herb Dean loses the 'Referee of the Year' award at the MMA Oscars.

Herb Dean in action during a UFC fight. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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The experienced Herb Dean has another reason to forget 2026. Considered by many to be the best referee, the professional has been making headlines negatively this season due to certain controversial decisions during fights and 'paid the price'. At the traditional 'MMA Oscars', a ceremony held last Wednesday (8), in Las Vegas (USA), the American lost in the 'Best Referee' category, something that doesn't happen often.

It's worth highlighting that this edition crowned the most outstanding performances that occurred between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. This is because the event, which was scheduled to take place in December and aimed to reward those who shone in the 2024/2025 season, never happened. Therefore, the winners were only announced now.

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Since the voting is done online, fans showed that Herb no longer enjoys the prestige he once did. At the 17th 'MMA Oscars', the professional competed with Mike Beltran, Jason Herzog, and Mark Smith, but saw Marc Goddard elected the best referee. Interestingly, Dean had won the last two awards. In the current season, the American's refereeing has been heavily criticized in the losses of Alex Poatan and Michel Pereira against Ciryl Gane and Shara Magomedov in the UFC, respectively.

Main winners of the 17th MMA Oscars

Best fighter: Merab Dvalishvili

He competed against Ilia Topuria , Alexandre Pantoja , Magomed Ankalaev and Gadzhi Rabadanov.

Best international wrestler: Paddy Pimblett

He competed with Dricus Du Plessis , Jack Della Maddalena , Reinier de Ridder and Phil de Fries.

Best female fighter: Kayla Harrison

She competed against Valentina Shevchenko , Dakota Ditcheva, Natalia Silva , and Jasmine Jasudavicius.

Best newcomer: Joshua Van

Best fight: Joshua Van vs. Brandon Royval

He competed against Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes , Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber , Jack Della Maddalena vs. Belal Muhammad, and Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta.

Best knockout: Mauricio Ruffy against Bobby Green

He competed against Fares Ziam vs. Matt Frevola , Shara Magomedov vs. Arman Petrosyan, Gustavo Oliveira vs. Anas Azizoun, and Roberto Soldic vs. Saygid Arslanaliev.

Best finish: Jean Silva on Bryce Mitchell

He competed against Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker , Paddy Pimblett vs. Bobby Green , Virna Jandiroba vs. Amanda Lemos , and Steve Ray vs. Lewis Long.

Best gym: Syndicate MMA

He competed with American Top Team, Abdulmanap School, Fighting Nerds and Valle Flow Striking.

Best coach: John Wood, from Syndicate MMA

He competed against Khabib Nurmagomedov of the Abdulmanap School, Pablo Sucupira of Fighting Nerds, Mike Brown of American Top Team, and Mike Valle of Valle Flow Striking.

Best organization: UFC

Competed with PFL, LFA, Rizin and Cage Warriors.

Best leader: Dana White

He competed against Nobuyuki Sakakibara, Ed Soares, Peter Murray, and Graham Boylan.

Best narrator: Jon Anik

He competed against Brendan Fitzgerald, John Gooden, Michael Schiavello, and Sean O'Connell.

Best personality: Nina Drama

He competed against Joe Rogan, Bruce Buffer, Daniel Cormier , and Chael Sonnen.

Best MMA program: Contender Series

It competed with The Ariel Helwani Show, Jaxxon Podcast, The Anik & Florian Podcast and The Ultimate Fighter.

Best journalist: Ariel Helwani

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