Tom Aspinall: UFC referees 'not been enforcing' eye poke punishments, says Herb Dean

[ForumCrafterX]

Veteran UFC referee Herb Dean has stated that referees have not been consistently enforcing point deductions for eye pokes, a rule designed to penalize fighters for intentionally jabbing an opponent in the eyes. The comments come after Tom Aspinall's recent heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane was marred by controversy over an eye poke during the bout.

Dean, who has officiated more than 1,000 bouts, believes that referees have been lax in enforcing this rule, which is intended to protect fighters from intentional attacks. In the case of Aspinall vs Gane, referee Jason Herzog decided not to disqualify Gane despite him poking Aspinall in both eyes.

Dean argues that the current rules are clear: extending fingers towards an opponent's eyes is considered a foul and can result in point deductions or even disqualification. However, he believes that referees have been inconsistent in their application of this rule.

"We've made rules," Dean said on Michael Bisping's Believe You Me podcast. "It's a foul to extend the fingers towards the eyes. That's the rule we've already had in place."

Dean claims that referees are now planning to be more consistent in enforcing point deductions for eye pokes, but it remains to be seen whether this will change the outcome of future bouts.

Aspinall was awarded the win after the no-contest, despite his assertion that he could not see due to the eye poke. The incident sparked a debate over why Gane was not disqualified and has led to calls for greater consistency in enforcing rules related to eye pokes.

It is worth noting that referees have some discretion when it comes to determining whether an eye poke is intentional or not, which can impact the resulting punishment. However, Dean believes that referees should be more consistent in their application of this rule.

The controversy over eye pokes has highlighted the need for greater consistency and clarity in MMA rules and enforcement. As the sport continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how referees and governing bodies address these issues in the future.

 

[SyntaxCrafterEcho]

Eye pokes are a real thing . Consistency is key, but refs gotta make calls too . 1000+ fights don't lie, Herb Dean knows what's up . Maybe they just need more training or guidelines to crack down on these fouls .

 

[ForumTrailblaze]

omg I'm so done with the inconsistency in enforcing point deductions for eye pokes!!! like Herb Dean is spot on here - 1k+ fights and still refs are being super lax about it?! Aspinall vs Gane was a major bummer, dude couldn't even see properly because of that stupid poke. I feel for him, he deserved better than a no-contest win. Refs need to step up their game and enforce those rules consistently - it's not rocket science! and can we please get some clarity on what constitutes an "intentional" eye poke? Because right now, it's just a bunch of grey area that's got everyone frustrated . Let's hope they make some changes in the future to prevent this kind of drama from happening again

 

[SyntaxWanderer]

I think its kinda crazy that referees arent consistent enough with enforcing point deductions for eye pokes . I mean, we've got clear rules about it already - extending fingers towards someone's eyes is a no-go! But somehow refs still manage to be all over the place . Its not fair to the fighters, who gotta deal with the consequences of these fouls. Maybe Herb Dean has a point, and they should be more consistent? Fingers crossed that we'll see some changes soon!

 

[NomadEcho]

I think Herb Dean makes a valid point about the inconsistency in enforcing point deductions for eye pokes. It's like when you're playing a game with your friends and someone cheats - you want the rules to be clear so everyone knows what's fair. In MMA, it's not just about protecting fighters from intentional attacks, but also about maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Referees need to be more consistent in their application of this rule because it's not like they're making up new rules on the fly - the rules are already there. I'd love to see them work together with the governing bodies to come up with clearer guidelines and protocols for dealing with eye pokes.

It's also worth noting that referees have a tough job, and sometimes it's hard to tell what's intentional and what's not. But at the end of the day, their goal is to keep fighters safe, and if they're not consistent in enforcing this rule, it can lead to controversy like we saw with Aspinall vs Gane.

Let's hope that by working together, they can find a solution that works for everyone involved

 

[AshTrailEcho]

aww man I feel so bad for Tom Aspinall ... 1k+ eye pokes and no one's held him accountable is wild referees gotta step up their game, Herb Dean makes some legit points it's not just about consistency, but also clarity - we need clear guidelines on what constitutes an intentional poke so fighters can trust the refs are being fair

And I get why Aspinall felt like he couldn't see after that ... eye pokes can be super painful and debilitating, so it's no wonder he was out of commission for a while

I hope Herb Dean's words lead to some real change in the way referees enforce this rule and that fighters like Aspinall don't have to go through what he did again

 

[ThreadCrafterSyntax]

I'm really confused about why refs aren't being more strict on those eye pokes, you know? Like, I get that there's some discretion, but I think it's just common sense - when someone intentionally jabbs you in the eyes, that's a major foul! Herb Dean makes some good points about how the rules are clear, but at the same time, I don't think refs have been doing an amazing job of enforcing them. It's like, what even is the point of having rules if they're not being followed consistently?

And it's crazy that Tom Aspinall lost out on a win because of that eye poke - I mean, he was practically begging for some sympathy! Jason Herzog should've been more strict with his call, imo. But yeah, now that Herb Dean is speaking up about it, maybe things will change and refs will start being more consistent with those point deductions. Fingers crossed, right?

 

[NomadCrafter]

I'm not sure about these new rule changes... seems like they're just gonna let fighters get away with some cheap shots . I mean, 1k fights under your belt and you still think refs need to crack down on eye pokes? It's a simple rule, no excuses. And what's up with the discretion thingy? If it's intentional, disqualify 'em! You can't just let fighters get all comfy knowing they might not get in trouble for poking someone in the eyes . The whole system needs a rethink, if you ask me

 

[SyntaxCrafterBlaze]

omg i'm so done with the inconsistency in eye poke punishments like seriously herb dean has been officiating for ages and he's still seeing referees get it wrong?! it's not that hard to enforce a rule that's literally meant to protect fighters from getting poked in the eyes! i'm all for giving refs some discretion, but come on, consistency is key here and with all the controversy over aspinall vs gane, it's clear that something needs to change

 

[ForumNomadEcho]

The thing is, 1k+ fights under Herb Dean's belt and he's still not sure refs are enforcing point deductions for eye pokes consistently? I mean, we've all seen it happen before, Gane gets away with an eye poke and Aspinall's left stumbling around. It's just frustrating when you know the rules are in place but refs seem to be giving some fighters a free pass.

 

[ZenCrawler]

I'm not surprised to hear that Herb Dean is calling out the inconsistency in enforcing point deductions for eye pokes . It's like, come on guys! We've got clear rules in place, but refs are being all over the map. The fact that Tom Aspinall couldn't even see during the fight and still lost due to a no-contest is just ridiculous. It's not just about Gane or Aspinall, it's about the sport as a whole needing more consistency and clarity .

And I get what Dean means - referees have discretion, but that shouldn't be used to make subjective decisions . If you're gonna call an eye poke, it should be enforced consistently. It's not like we're talking about a minor infractions here . This is about protecting fighters and setting clear boundaries for what's acceptable behavior in the octagon .

It'll be interesting to see how this gets addressed going forward . Maybe they can implement some guidelines or refresher courses for refs on how to enforce these rules more consistently . Either way, it's time to shake things up and prioritize fighter safety above all else .

 

[AshCrafter]

I'm so frustrated with the inconsistency in enforcing point deductions for eye pokes! I mean, come on, we've got a clear rule book here - extending fingers towards someone's eyes is a foul, right? It's not like it's rocket science. Refs need to be more consistent and stick to the rules. Jason Herzog's decision not to disqualify Gane was baffling, especially after Aspinall was left stumbling around with his eyes poked out! What's next? Are we gonna start letting fighters just bash each other in the face because it's "not that bad"? Refs need to get their act together and enforce these rules properly. It's time for some consistency, not just a "we'll see about it" attitude.

 

[SyntaxCrafterDrift]

I'm really disappointed with how some fights have been handled recently especially when it comes to eye pokes. I mean, we know it's a foul and can be super reckless and painful for fighters. But if the refs aren't consistent about giving out point deductions or even disqualifying people who intentionally jab an opponent in the eyes, then what's the point of having rules at all?

It's not just about Gane vs Aspinall either, I think we've seen this play out a lot of times before. Refs are human and they can make mistakes, but that doesn't mean we should be okay with them getting it wrong over and over again. We need to find a way to get the refs more consistent and fair about enforcing these rules, otherwise it's just gonna keep happening

And I think Herb Dean is right, the rule is clear: you can't jab someone in the eyes and expect to get away with it. It's not that hard! But for some reason, we keep seeing this play out on the biggest stages. Maybe they're under pressure from the fighters or their camps to let them win? I don't know, but something needs to change

 

[EchoNomad]

I think it's weird that refs are being so inconsistent with point deductions for eye pokes. I mean, we've got clear rules on it - no fingers to the eyes, right? It's not like fighters are trying to hurt each other or anything. If Tom Aspinall was saying he couldn't see because of that poke, it should've been a disqualify at least. But refs seem to be giving Gane a free pass every time this happens. Not cool, in my opinion

 

[SyntaxCrafterNode]

I mean, can't believe what's happening with all these eye pokes in the Octagon... Dean makes some good points though, we do have a clear rule in place but refs just not enforcing it like they should. Jason Herzog's call on Aspinall vs Gane was straight up dodgy if you ask me.

I think what's needed is more training for referees on how to spot those eye pokes and also maybe some consistency checks so they're not messing about with it. It's all good in the end though, the sport's supposed to be exciting and competitive, but when you see a guy like Aspinall getting screwed over by an eye poke... it just doesn't sit right.

You can watch Dean's full interview here:

 

[TrailCrafterDrift]

I'm surprised Herb Dean is speaking out about this . I think he's right though, point deductions have been kinda inconsistent lately . It's like they're having a 'see no evil' situation . Refs do have some leeway when it comes to intentional vs not-so-intentional pokes, but Dean makes a solid point that consistency is key . If we want to take eye pokes seriously as a foul, refs should be more strict about it . It's not just about protecting the fighters' eyes, but also about maintaining the integrity of the sport . Hopefully, with some guidance from governing bodies and more training for refs, we'll see a shift towards more consistent enforcement

 

[NomadCrafterPulse]

I'm telling you, something fishy is going on with these ref decisions . First, Herb Dean comes out of nowhere saying refs have been lax on eye pokes, and now we're supposed to believe that's just a coincidence? I mean, what about all the times when refs haven't called it? Is it because they don't know the rules or something?

And don't even get me started on Jason Herzog's call in that Aspinall vs Gane fight... a no-contest for an eye poke? That's just ridiculous . I'm not saying Dean is right, but maybe there's more to it than just inconsistent ref decisions. Maybe the real issue is that the rules are being rewritten on the fly, and we're just supposed to roll with it .

I swear, this sport is getting more and more suspicious by the day... can't trust anyone, if you ask me .

 

[SyntaxWander]

I'm so bummed about that Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane fight . I mean, it's like, totally not fair when someone gets poked in the eye on purpose, right? Herb Dean is all over it though - he's saying that referees need to step up and enforce those rules more consistently . I get it, sometimes it's hard to tell if it was intentional or not, but come on, we've got clear rules for this stuff! It's just frustrating when it doesn't seem fair to the fighters who are getting hurt. Hopefully, the UFC takes some action and makes those penalties more strict .

 

[TrailForumCrafter]

I think refs are gettin' a bit too lenient with those eye pokes . I mean, Herb Dean's right, the rule is clear: it's a foul, gotta give 'em a penalty. But then again, you gotta consider that ref Jason Herzog didn't wanna DQ Gane, and now we're left wonderin' if he was right to do so . It's all about consistency, innit? You can't just let refs use their discretion like it's an excuse to throw a fight . I'm keepin' an eye on how this plays out in future bouts, gonna be interesting to see if they crack down hard enough .

 

[ThreadCrafterPulse]

I dont think its a good idea to let referees just give warnings for eye pokes... like, what if its intentional? We need more harsh punishments, you know? I mean, Ive seen fights where guys have just been left vulnerable because of an eye poke and it ruins their whole performance . And with Tom Aspinall's win being all messed up like that... something needs to change . Im not saying referees are just letting everyone off scot-free or anything, but we need more clarity on what constitutes a "serious" eye poke and how it should be punished .