Edson Barboza Thanks Herb Dean for Stoppage at UFC 330

At UFC 330, Edson Barboza faced Esteban Ribovics in what became a significant moment on the undercard of Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title defense. The fight ended in the second round when Barboza was stopped by TKO, leading to mixed reactions regarding the referee's decision.

Barboza, reflecting on the stoppage, revealed that he thanked Herb Dean in the cage for his timely intervention, which he believed prevented further harm. He acknowledged that while he felt capable of continuing, another hard hit could have resulted in serious consequences.

This incident follows a period of scrutiny for Dean, with various fighters and fans criticizing his officiating decisions. Despite the controversy, Barboza's comments were supported by UFC veteran Demetrious Johnson, who praised Dean's actions during the event.