The UFC's 2025 Refereeing Elite: Unveiling the Top 11
The Octagon's guardians: In the world of UFC, referees are the unsung heroes, ensuring fair play and safety. But who are the top referees that oversaw the most fights in 2025? Prepare for a journey through the ranks of these officiating masters.
The year 2025 was a whirlwind for the UFC, with 42 events spanning across the globe. From the bustling cities of the US to the international hotspots, the UFC left its mark. And amidst the chaos, 49 referees were at the forefront, ensuring every fight was fair and square. But here's where it gets interesting: this number is slightly down from the 50 referees used in 2024.
Now, let's dive into the list of referees who stepped into the Octagon in 2025, in alphabetical order. These referees were the backbone of every fight, ensuring the rules were followed and the fighters were protected.
The Refereeing Roster:
- Bruce Allen
- Mike Beltran
- Nick Berens
- Lukasz Bosacki
- Justin Brown
- Mitch Cadlick
- Patricio Carlos
- Nick Cimmarusti
- Gary Copeland
- John Cooper
- Herb Dean
- Andrew Glenn
- Marc Goddard
- Blake Grice
- Kerry Hatley
- Jason Herzog
- Chris Hill
- Jeff Hobby
- Luc Lefebvre
- Horacio Lopez
- Kevin MacDonald
- Rob Madrigal
- Bassel Mahgoub
- Osiris Maia
- Nate Mann
- Brent McKeehan
- Eric McMahon
- Rich Mitchell
- Dan Miragliotta
- Jacob Montalvo
- Daniel Movahedi
- Gasper Oliver
- Erick Philippeaux
- Raul Porrata
- Jimmy Neely
- Steve Perceval
- Jim Perdios
- Keith Peterson
- Sal Ram
- Jeff Rexroad
- Vitor Ribeiro
- Tyrone Roberts
- Fernando Salas
- Joao Claudio Soares
- Mark Smith
- Zach Teiberis
- Chris Tognoni
- Frank Trigg
- Matt Wynne
Among these, nine referees stood out with double-digit assignments. Let's reveal the top 11, counting down to the most active referee of 2025:
11. Blake Grice (11 fights): A seasoned veteran, Grice hit the double-digit mark, officiating in multiple states.
10. Rich Mitchell (15 fights): With over a decade of experience, Mitchell is a global traveler, officiating in the Middle East, France, and Australia.
9. Keith Peterson (19 fights): Despite a dip in UFC bouts, Peterson remains a household name in MMA officiating, active across the Northeast.
8. Dan Miragliotta (20 fights): A seasoned veteran, Miragliotta is a go-to referee, handling a mix of regional and UFC bouts.
7. Kerry Hatley (32 fights): With a Nevada license in his pocket, Hatley's UFC workload continues to rise.
6. Chris Tognoni (43 fights): A Nevada favorite, Tognoni is a regular on UFC Apex cards, a familiar face for fans.
4. Mike Beltran & Mark Smith (44 fights each): Beltran's return to health saw him tie with 2024's leader, Mark Smith, for the fourth spot.
3. Herb Dean (51 fights): A global icon, Dean is a household name, officiating big and small events worldwide, including five UFC title fights in 2025.
2. Jason Herzog (59 fights): Herzog's consistency shines, moving up from 4th in 2024 to 2nd in 2025, officiating four UFC title fights.
1. Marc Goddard (60 fights): The British pioneer, Goddard, takes the top spot, trusted more than ever before. He officiated 10 UFC title fights in 2025, solidifying his status as one of the most respected referees in the sport.
And there you have it! The top 11 referees of the UFC in 2025. But the question remains: who will rise to the top in 2026? Will we see new faces or the same veterans dominating the Octagon? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments. Who do you think should be the top referee in the UFC?
