In the new ‘UFC 235: The Thrill And The Agony’ preview video, a post-fight interaction between Robbie Lawler and referee Herb Dean can now be heard in full.
It came just moments after Dean had stepped into wave off Lawler’s fight with Ben Askren, believing that ‘Ruthless’ had just been choked unconscious, only for the defeated fighter to then immediately get up and start protesting about the stoppage.
However, despite his initial fury at the decision, Lawler calmed down remarkably quickly and ultimately had a classy exchange with the veteran referee that showed their mutual respect for each other.
Check out the full transcript below.
“Lawler: “What the [expletive] are you doing?!”
Dean: “I thought you…”
Lawler: “I didn’t. What the [expletive]?!
Dean: [Inaudible]
Lawler: “I know. It’s alright.”
Askren to Lawler: “Hey, I love you Robbie. I had to fight you.”
Lawler: “Herb. Herb. Hey. Hey, don’t [expletive] worry about it. You’re a [expletive] hell of a ref.
Dean: “No, man. No. I don’t understand how, like… I saw your arm (go) limp, I grabbed it. But I didn’t know.”
Lawler: “and then I gave you a thumbs up.”
Dean: “I didn’t know. I didn’t see you give me a thumbs up.”
Lawler: “It happens man. If [expletive] happens.”
Lawler has since indicated he’d like to see the fight happen again and Dana White has echoed that view, though Askren is now eager to move on to other opponents.
