Nearly a week ago at UFC 325, Benoit Saint-Denis delivered a punishing knockout blow to Dan Hooker in the event’s co-main attraction.
Last Saturday, Premier Promotions returned to Australia for a numbered event, with UFC 325 featuring Alexander Volkanovski successfully defending his title against Diego Lopez in the main event.
The semi-main event saw lightweight contenders Dan Hooker and Benoît Saint-Denis engage in an intense showdown. Hooker started strong and dominated the second round, but was ultimately overpowered and brutally ground-and-pounded by the French fighter.
Jorge Masvidal Criticizes Herb Dean’s Officiating in UFC 325 Co-Main
Hooker’s grappling defense has long faced criticism, and throughout his bout with “God of War” Saint-Denis, he showed little improvement. After the vicious beating, former title contender Jorge Masvidal openly criticized veteran referee Herb Dean, accusing him of allowing the fight to go on too long.
Saint-Denis kept landing punches on Hooker for an extended period until Dean finally stopped the fight, sparing Hooker from further unnecessary damage. However, Masvidal argued that the intervention came too late and labeled Dean “the worst referee of all time.”
Watching the fight unfold, Masvidal remarked, “Oh, who’s the referee? Let me guess, Herb Dean. Great, what’s he waiting for to stop the fight, brother? Yep, Herb, it’s just a fight, no rush. No, Hooker is definitely defending intelligently, Herb.” He added, “I don’t want to detract from Saint-Denis’ performance, but wow.”
Masvidal continued, “As I’ve said throughout my career, Herb Dean is the worst referee ever. He’s been in this spot for over a minute and a half, taking about 15 unanswered shots. Terrible officiating. No disrespect to Herb – he’s a good guy – but when it comes to refereeing, he just doesn’t have it.”
Photo by Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images
Dan Hooker’s Tough Battles Aren’t New
Known as “The Hangman,” Hooker has been a staple in major promotions for some time, but this brutal defeat is not his first. His 2020 fight against Dustin Poirier remains one of the most memorable and wild battles in recent history, ending in a unanimous decision loss for Hooker.
Fan Take: This intense matchup and the controversy over referee Herb Dean’s timing highlight ongoing challenges in fight officiating, emphasizing the need for clear standards to protect fighters. For fans, it’s a reminder that every split-second decision in the octagon can shape careers and the sport’s integrity moving forward.
