Herb Dean Unveils Eye Poke Rule Changes, Praises Sean Strickland's Technique
Longtime referee Herb Dean has revealed ongoing discussions about stricter guidelines for eye pokes in MMA, following the controversial no-contest between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Dean believes that the current rule, which prohibits extending fingers towards the eyes, needs more stringent enforcement.
In a recent interview on Believe You Me, Dean addressed the issue, stating, 'We've made a rule it's a foul to extend fingers towards the eyes, but we haven't been enforcing it. We're going to move forward on that.' He emphasized the need to take points away from fighters who engage in dangerous eye-poking behavior before it causes harm.
The referee also discussed the impact of such rule changes on the sport's scoring system, which is predominantly based on one-point decisions. Dean mentioned, 'We have a one-point sport, and most fights end with scores like 29-28. Taking one point can turn a majority win into a draw. We need to address this, and it's something we're considering.'
Eye pokes have been a recurring problem in MMA, and Dean acknowledges the challenge of referees consistently enforcing the rules. He expressed hope that these changes will help improve the situation, stating, 'Every event seems to have a questionable issue, and I hope we're taking an important step forward in changing that.'
When it comes to technique, Dean praised former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who he believes sets a positive example for fighters. He said, 'When Sean Strickland fights, I don't have to worry about his fingers. He's my favorite when he comes out with his fingers closed and parries effectively.' Dean's admiration for Strickland's technique highlights the importance of implementing and enforcing rules to ensure fair and safe competition.
