Contender Series fighter wins via illegal knee, gets UFC contract anyway — Herb Dean ‘f—ked up’

Ian Escuza earned a UFC contract after securing a 32-second knockout win over Luca Borando on Dana White's Contender Series. However, controversy erupted because Escuza landed an illegal knee to the head of a downed Borando during the finishing sequence. Despite reviewing the footage, referee Herb Dean and the Nevada State Athletic Commission upheld the knockout victory instead of ruling it a disqualification or no-contest.

Following the event, UFC CEO Dana White criticized the officiating, stating that Dean made a major mistake during the review process. Although the athletic commission controls official bout outcomes, the promotion chose to award Escuza a featherweight contract despite the controversial finish.