Hardy releases statement following scolding of Herb Dean for late stoppage

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“When I make a mistake, I look stupid on live TV. When a referee makes a mistake, people are left vulnerable and can be seriously damaged.”

Dan Hardy has released a statement following his scolding of Herb Dean after the veteran referee’s controversial stoppage in the Francisco Trinaldo vs. Jai Herbert fight at UFC on ESPN 14.

“I’m doing my job, now you do yours!” Hardy told Dean. “Gotta look out for these fighters, my goodness!”

Hardy, a former UFC welterweight, feels Dean should have stopped the fight as soon as Trinaldo dropped Herbert with a massive overhand left in the third round and, judging by his post-fight statement, ‘The Outlaw’ hasn’t changed his stance.

“I love Mixed Martial Arts. Sometimes it doesn’t love me back though, and that’s alright. Regardless, I’ll always do everything in my power to protect it, and those dedicating themselves to it.

Sometimes you may disagree with me, and that’s alright as well. I’m always going to speak my mind, 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 a fighter left unprotected. It isn’t the first time it’s happened, and twice in a night is clear negligence, in my opinion.

The referees job is more important than any other person in that building. It is on their shoulders to protect fighters from getting seriously hurt when they are unable to protect themselves.

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

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

Thank you for all of the kind words and messages I’ve received. I am truly grateful. I’ll see you all around…” Hardy posted on Instagram.

Expect referee Herb Dean to issue a statement of his own in the next few days.