Perhaps the most integral part of any UFC event is the referees. These referees shoulder the massive responsibility of making sure that the fight stays within the realms of what is allowed and preventing fighters from committing fouls or worse sustaining serious injury.
These referees have with time become well-known figures themselves owing to their style of refereeing or the unique traits that they bring to the octagon. At present, the UFC has seven active referees.
Here's the complete list of UFC Referees
- Here's the complete list of UFC Referees
- Active referees in the UFC
- Herb Dean
- Jason Herzog
- Mark Smith
- Chris Tognoni
- Marc Goddard
- Dan Miragliotta
- Keith Peterson
Active referees in the UFC
Herb Dean
Herb Dean made his debut as a UFC referee in 2004, having competed as a mixed martial artist previously. In his long and illustrious career, Dean has refereed some of the UFC's most iconic matches right from Tim Sylvia vs. Frank Mir, where he stopped the fight on noticing Sylvia's forearm snapping, to saving Mirko Cro Cop's leg from serious injury during the Mirko Cro Cop vs. Gabriel Gonzaga fight.
Owing to Dean's work as a referee Dana White was quoted saying "is one of the best referees in this business. Actually, I think he's the best".
Jason Herzog
Jason Herzog joined the UFC in 2009, and since then he has refereed some of the promotion's highest-selling events.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith has been a referee with the UFC since 2015, before which he was a Lt.Col in the US Airforce, where he served as an F-16 pilot for several years. Despite not coming from an MMA/refereeing background Smith is one of the few UFC referees to have attained great success as a referee in a relatively small amount of time.
Chris Tognoni
Chris Tognoni has been refereeing for the UFC since 2010 and has also had an illustrious career as a referee for multiple promotions across the world. He was also an Athletic Inspector with the Nevada State Athletic Commission for over a decade between 2001 & 2012.
Chris Tognoni was called out by Dana White for a series of calls made by Tognoni during the Ed Hermann vs. Mike Rodriguez fight.
Marc Goddard
Former submission grappling competitor and coach, Marc Goddard was signed on by the UFC as a referee in 2008. He is the first-ever referee from the United Kingdom to be a part of the UFC. An advocate of competitor safety in MMA, Goddard has refereed a host of memorable fights and has gained praise for his style as a referee.
Dan Miragliotta
Dan Miragliotta has been a part of the UFC since 2007. Having been in the business for over two decades he is considered among some of the most recognizable MMA referees. Although he has been at the helm of several high-profile fights as a referee, his career is chequered with a series of controversial calls.
Keith Peterson
Keith Peterson is perhaps amongst some of the deadliest referees in the UFC. As an amateur competitor in Muay Thai and BJJ, Peterson has earned a 'no nonsense' image for himself as a referee. He has been a part of the UFC since 2008.
