Referee Herb Dean has been under fire more than once this year from fighters like Alex Pereira, but CSAC executive director Andy Foster will have none of it.

Several fans and fighters have loudly criticized Dean for waiting too long to stop fights and illegal blows to the back of the head. Most notable was Alex Pereira, who let Dean have it afterl losing in a heavyweight title fight to Ciryl Gane at the UFC Freedom 250 event.

But Foster made sure to leave no doubt that he supports Dean, a veteran referee for over 20 years in combat sports.

Whether it’s Herb or Marc Goddard or anybody that’s received some of this criticism, I don’t think it’s really fair,” Foster explained to MMA Fighting. “It doesn’t have to be fair. Being a referee’s not fair. I think Herb Dean’s a good referee and you’ll see Herb Dean on the main event of my upcoming UFC’s because Herb Dean is the senior referee in California. Herb Dean has my full confidence.”

“The thing with Gane and Pereira, I was there. I was watching that in real time,” Foster added. “That didn’t look anything different … that looked like a normal fight to me. That looked like a normal fight. I think what started that series was the punch that put [Pereira] on the ground. I know that’s what started that series. He’s obviously trying to finish him. [Pereira] is trying to get back in the fight.”

Dean appears to have the support of his colleagues, including referee Mark Matheny, who commented on Dean when he officiated the Benoit Saint Denis and Dan Hooker earlier this year in February.

“Well, we are human beings remember first,” Matheny, previously said to MMA Crossfire. “As I said before, in the fight meetings, I talk about things and I ask if you have any questions. I also remind you that you are professional that you can tell me when you are done. If it’s an amateur show or an amateur fight somewhere, I will make an air in the direction of caution and safety. If I ever make a mistake in the cage, I want it to be known for stopping a fight too late.”

“Also, when I am down on one knee or in a three-point stance or bent over staring at a fight, I am seeing some of the punches that are deflected and some that aren’t that the crowd is not seeing,” Matheny added. “Remember, they do have gloves on although lightweight, that can be glancing partially instead of striking squarely. Elbows are a different thing. I am famous for letting the fight go so I would never say anything bad about him. He (Dean) is number two in the world and always will be and no one can change that. I’m just honoured to make the (Sherdog) top 10 (referee) list. And that is only because I do let them fight.”

Dean has been a referee for over 20 years since 2002 and in the UFC since 2004. He is generally regarded as one of the best referees and is a 10-time recipient of  World MMA’s Referee of the Year Award. He is also a former competitor in Judo, Ju Jitsu, and MMA.