UFC President Dana White commented on the controversy surrounding Alex Pereira and referee Herb Dean, saying he had heard about Pereira's public petition calling for Dean's dismissal but had not seen it himself. White stated the decision on the matter rests with the athletic commission, not with him.
UFC President Dana White acknowledged the public backlash surrounding referee Herb Dean this week, confirming he is aware of a petition circulated by light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira calling for Dean's removal — though White admitted he had not personally read it. The UFC chief made clear that any decision about Dean's officiating future falls under the jurisdiction of the athletic commission, not the promotion.
Pereira, known as "Poatan," holds the UFC light heavyweight title with a professional record of 13-4. The 38-year-old Brazilian trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness and has established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has made an outsized impact in the division since his arrival in the UFC.
Why it matters
- The petition places rare public pressure on an individual referee, raising questions about fighter influence over officiating standards
- Because the athletic commission — not the UFC — governs referee licensing, White's response effectively removes the promotion from the equation
- The controversy could prompt broader conversation about referee accountability and review processes in combat sports regulation
