Dana White has commented on Alex Pereira sharing a fan petition calling for the banning of referee Herb Dean, distancing himself from the matter by stating the decision is not within his authority. The remarks come after Pereira drew attention to the petition following a contested officiating situation.
UFC President Dana White weighed in on a controversy involving light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and veteran referee Herb Dean, distancing himself from any potential disciplinary action by stating the matter falls outside his authority.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, had drawn significant attention after sharing a fan-created petition calling for Dean to be banned from officiating. The 38-year-old Brazilian, who fights out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, amplified the petition in the wake of a disputed officiating situation. White acknowledged the situation publicly but made clear that decisions regarding referee sanctioning are not his to make, suggesting the matter rests with the relevant athletic commissions rather than UFC leadership.
Pereira carries a professional record of 13 wins and 4 losses, standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach. The orthodox striker is one of the most aggressive finishers in the division, averaging 5.16 significant strikes landed per minute with a striking accuracy of 62 percent — numbers that reflect a fighter whose bouts are rarely free of controversy in their intensity.
Why it matters
- Pereira's willingness to publicly pressure officiating figures adds a new dimension to an already high-profile championship reign
- White's response highlights the UFC's limited jurisdiction over referee licensing, which falls under state and tribal athletic commission oversight
- The episode raises broader questions about fighter advocacy and how publicly challenging officials is received within the sport's governing structure
