Dan Hardy issues statement on Herb Dean confrontation: “When a referee makes a mistake, people are left vulnerable”

UFC commentator Dan Hardy was one of the most talked-about fighters who left the UFC on Saturday on the ESPN 14 show.

At the end of a preliminary fight between Francisco Trinaldo and Jai Herbert, Hardy could be heard on the broadcast yelling at referee Herb Dean to stop the fight after Trinaldo hit Herbert and left the UFC newcomer on his back. Hardy’s reaction was due to Dean’s not immediately stopping the fight and waiting for Trinaldo to make a few follow-up shots before officially rejecting him.

Subsequently, Hardy and Dean were seen arguing at the commentator’s desk, though the details of that conversation are not known at this time.

On Sunday, Hardy made an Instagram post in which he addressed his problems with Dean’s arbitration, though he did not name Dean in the post.

“I love mixed martial arts,” Hardy wrote. “However, sometimes he doesn’t want me back, and that’s fine. Anyway, I will always do everything in my power to protect it, and those who are dedicated to it. “

Hardy described Dean’s decision making on Saturday as “gross negligence” and was also offended by the stoppage in the Tanner Boser-Raphael Pessoa fight that Dean also oversaw.

“The referee’s job is more important than anyone else in that building,” Hardy wrote. “It is on your shoulders to protect combatants from being seriously injured when they cannot protect themselves.

“You may see the UFC fighters there, but I see friends, teammates, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, who compete in the sport they love.”

Dean, one of the UFC’s most veteran officials, has been criticized over the years for being inconsistent with his stoppages, either because outside observers consider them too early or too late. In the past, Dean has also received praise for his work and continues to be assigned high-profile fights in the UFC, including Saturday’s main event between Robert Whittaker and Darren Till.

Regardless of Dean’s past good faith, Hardy did not take a hit when expressing his opinion on his work last night.

“When I make a mistake, I look stupid on live television,” Hardy said. “When a referee makes a mistake, people are vulnerable and can be seriously injured. That can change life, and we all have someone to go home to, who loves us and wants us back in one piece. ”

Read Hardy’s full unedited statement below:

I love mixed martial arts. However, sometimes she doesn’t want me back, and that’s fine. Anyway, I will always do everything in my power to protect it, and those who dedicate themselves to it.

Sometimes you can disagree with me, and that’s okay too. I will always say what I think, and it will always be backed by what I feel in my heart.

If you understand what it takes to get in there, then you understand my passion and anger when I see an unprotected fighter. This is not the first time this has happened, and twice in one night it is gross negligence, in my opinion.

The referee’s job is more important than anyone else in that building. It is on your shoulders to protect fighters from being seriously injured when they cannot protect themselves.

You may only see UFC fighters there, but I do see friends, teammates, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, competing in the sport they love.

When I make a mistake, I look stupid on live television. When a referee makes a mistake, people are vulnerable and can be seriously injured. That can be life changing, and we all have someone to go home to, who loves us and wants us back in one piece.

Thank you for all the kind words and messages that I have received. I am really grateful. See you everywhere …