Herb Dean Backs Marc Goddard’s UFC 319 Stand-Ups, Citing 2025 Rules
Under the ABC 2025 Unified Rules, referees may restart bouts when neither fighter demonstrates meaningful progress toward a finish.
Overview
- Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision to win the UFC middleweight title at UFC 319.
- Marc Goddard ordered stand-ups late in the fourth round and again in the fifth during stretches of stalled ground control.
- Herb Dean said he had no issue with the restarts and described the standard “Let’s work” cue that precedes a stand-up.
- Erik Magraken highlighted the rule allowing restarts when there is no real, significant or sustained effort to advance toward a finish.
- Community reaction remained divided, with coverage stressing that the officiating aligned with the rulebook and the official result stands.