Well, let’s talk about Herb Dean, you know, that fella from the fight world. Folks in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts, they call it) know him real well. He’s not just any referee; people reckon he’s one of the best there is. But now you’re askin’ how much Herb Dean’s worth? Oh, let me tell ya, he’s got quite a good chunk of change!
Herb Dean’s Net Worth in 2024

Now, last I heard, Herb Dean’s sittin’ on about $2.5 million. Yep, you heard right, $2.5 million! That’s no small potatoes, is it? I mean, for a fella who used to just fight, and then went on to referee, he’s made himself a nice pile. Folks say this net worth figure came around May 2024. Now, how’s a man buildin’ up that kind of cash? Well, he didn’t just stop at one thing, no sir.
How Herb Dean Made His Money
- Refereeing Fights: Most of Dean’s money comes from refereeing all them big MMA matches. He makes, oh, around $2,500 for regular fights, but when it’s a big bout, now we’re talkin’ $10,000 to $15,000. And they call him out for the big fights because, well, he’s known to be one of the best in the business.
- Former Fighter: Now, before he got famous as a ref, Herb was a fighter himself. That background probably helped him get noticed in the MMA world. But, well, he didn’t make all his millions just from fightin’—the real money came from switchin’ over to being a referee.
- Teaching New Referees: Herb doesn’t just keep all that referee knowledge to himself. He shares it, teachin’ up-and-comers who want to follow in his footsteps. There’s a bit of cash in that, too, I reckon.
- Other Projects: Herb also had a few other gigs—like acting! Now, that’s somethin’ different, huh? These extra jobs here and there might not be huge, but they add to his pile of cash.
Annual Earnings of Herb Dean
Now, if you’re wonderin’ about what Herb brings in every year, they say it’s around $500,000. Now that’s a good, steady amount, ain’t it? That’s mostly from all them fights he refs, especially since he’s been the top UFC referee for years now. That $500,000 includes all kinds of fight events, big and small, and them pay-per-view events also bring in extra cash. For those high-viewin’ fights, Dean might even see a payday of about $12,500. Not bad for a day’s work, huh?
Why Herb Dean is So Highly Regarded

Folks say Herb Dean’s the best in the biz. He’s been a referee since way back in 2002—that’s over two decades of callin’ the shots in the ring! At 53 years old, Herb has a good deal of experience under his belt, and that’s what makes him a go-to guy for those big-time fights. People trust him because he knows his way around the ring, and he’s fair. Bein’ a former fighter himself, he understands both sides of the game, which helps him keep things safe and fair.
Is Herb Dean the Richest Referee?
Well, if we’re talkin’ just about referees in MMA, he’s pretty much at the top when it comes to earnings. They say he’s the highest-paid UFC referee, and that’s quite somethin’ in a sport like MMA where fights are no joke. Herb Dean’s known for makin’ the big calls, and that’s why he gets the big paychecks. Some other refs, like Herzog, might make close to $380,000 a year, but Herb? Well, he’s usually pullin’ ahead with that nice $500,000 mark.
Final Thoughts on Herb Dean’s Net Worth
So, addin’ it all up, Herb Dean’s net worth of $2.5 million seems like it’s well-earned. From bein’ a tough fighter to a respected referee and then sharin’ his knowledge with the new referees, Herb’s made his money through hard work and smarts. And at 53, he’s still goin’ strong! He’s built his career on fightin’ and referrin’, and it sure seems like the folks in the MMA world respect him a lot. He might not be gettin’ millions like some of them fightin’ champions, but for a referee, he’s sittin’ pretty good!

Tags:[Herb Dean net worth, MMA referee salary, UFC referee earnings, Herb Dean career, top MMA referees]