Herb Dean Assigned to Officiate Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja UFC 331 Main Event

Veteran referee Herb Dean has been assigned as the third man in the cage for the upcoming UFC 331 main event. The contest, which takes place this Saturday, features a high-stakes flyweight championship rematch between defending titleholder Joshua Van and former champion Alexandre Pantoja. This bout serves as a direct follow-up to their initial meeting at UFC 323, a fight that ended prematurely when Pantoja suffered a significant limb injury. Given the history of the matchup and the stakes involved in the flyweight division, the officiating assignment has drawn attention as the promotion prepares to head to Paramount+ for the broadcast. Dean, a long-tenured official under the UFC banner, will be tasked with overseeing the action as both competitors look to settle the score after the anticlimactic conclusion of their first encounter. The event, held in Los Angeles, rounds out a card that features several key matchups, but the flyweight headliner remains the focal point for title contention. With both fighters now cleared and prepared for the rematch, the focus shifts to the cage and the officiating oversight that will help determine the next chapter for the 125-pound weight class.

Source: MMA Mania.