Joaquin Buckley Debuts Training Drill Inspired by Referee Herb Dean

Joaquin Buckley released a video Tuesday demonstrating a training drill where he challenges a partner to restrain him while he strikes a punching bag. Buckley labeled the exercise the 'Herb Dean Drill' in a social media post. In the video, Buckley mimics the urgency of a referee needing to intervene in a fight by yelling, 'Don't let me murder him,' while his partner grappling attempts to stop the action.

Buckley, who is scheduled to face Mike Malott this Saturday at UFC Edmonton, clarified that the video was made in jest. He praised the veteran referee in his caption, stating there are few like him in the sport. While Dean has faced criticism from various fighters and fans regarding his officiating decisions in recent years, Dean has only officiated two of Buckley's 17 UFC appearances, both of which resulted in victories for Buckley.