facebook_btn
Herbs Home PageHerbs Bio Ask HerbSeminar ScheduleRegister for a SeminarMMA Referee School FAQUnified Rules of MMABlack Glove Photo GalleryMMARS Facebook PageContact Links
 


MMA Referee School's
First Graduating Class
George Gallegos, Kane Vandal and Jenn Takos with Herb Dean.
         
   

 
  Jenn Takos  
         
 

How did you get into MMA?
I started watching UFC in 2003. My interest in MMA grew more and more as I started training in martial arts.

What is your martial arts background?
I currently train BJJ with Giva Santana, Fábio Nascimento & Laercio Fernandes with Lotus Club Jiu Jitsu at Team Oyama MMA in Irvine. Earned my blue belt from Professor Cassio Wernick in Sacramento. Then moved to southern California and earned my purple belt from Professor Giva Santana. Trained in Muay Thai, kick boxing, Taekwondo, Kempo, Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Why do you officiate MMA?
It is fun AND it's the best seat in the house! Yes, it is a lot of responsibility, but I enjoy the challenge. I started officiating MMA after officiating for IBJJF Jiu Jitsu tournaments. It was a natural step when the opportunity to officiate MMA came to me.

What is you career background?
I studied graphic design and work in advertising, pre-press and print production. I currently produce websites and self-publishing a book.

What do you do in your time off?
Take my dog to the beach, enjoy live music and train BJJ!

 
         
         
   

 
  Kane Vandal    
         
 

How did you get into MMA?
I began wrestling as an 8th grader, in 1993 the first UFC was aired, I have been hooked ever since.

What is your martial arts training background?
I currently train BJJ as a blue belt with Daniel Thomas at Zeus BJJ.

Wrestling background
Mass Division 1 South Sectional Champ "95"
New England Freestyle/Greco Roman Champ "95"
Mass Junior National Team Member "95"
Marshfield Holiday Tournament Champ "95&96"
Marshfield Holiday Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler "96"
Mass Division 1 State Finalist "96"
Mass Division 1 State Finalist Team"96"
Member Durfee High School Undefeated Team (20-0) "96"
American International College Team Member "96-01"
Brownell Middle School Coach "02-04"

Why do you officiate MMA?
I am very passionate about the sport, and hope to make it a lifestyle. Being an official allows me to be a part of something I love and have watched grow since it's birth.

What is you career background?
My degree is in English/Secondary Education. Currently I am working in Monterey CA as a Produce Broker.

What do you do in your time off?
I like to train and currently train no gi jiu jitsu. Mostly I spend time with friends and go to as many events as possible.

 
         
         
   

 
  George Gallegos    

How did you get into MMA?
With my training background in wrestling and boxing, I immediately took an interest in seeing how the various martial arts performed at UFC 1. Then as the sport began to grow I started training in Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing.

What is your martial arts training background?
At the age of 9, I began boxing with trainers from the Cleland House in East Los Angeles and continued to train at other boxing gyms in Los Angeles, such L.A. Boxing as an adult. I also wrestled in jr. high and continued to compete in high school.

Why do you officiate MMA?
I officiate to stay active, involved and participate in a sport I enjoy.

What is you career background?
I'm an attorney with offices in Los Angeles and Monterey Park.

What do you do in your time off?
I like to watch MMA, workout, and watch live music.

         
         
     
  Amhad Reese      
     
 

How did you get into MMA?
I started submission wrestling in 94-95 and then began training with people I saw in pro events like UFC and Pride. When I began to tap out these fighters, I wanted to compete.

What is your martial arts training background?
I have 2 black belts in Karate and 1 in Jiu Jitsu. My training background includes wrestling, sambo, boxing and Muay Thai with a professional MMA record of 10-4-0.

Why do you officiate MMA?
I want to officiate because I love the sport and this way I can stay involved with the sport as well as have input in its development.

What is you career background?
I own a mma gym. Currently I am also attending nursing school.

What do you do in your time off?
My time off and on is spent fathering which i love most.

 
         
         
   

 
 

Mike Baig

   
     
 

How did you get into MMA?
In 1992, I began training with Grandmaster Kieth Rosary at the International Martial Arts Academy where I got my first experience with MMA when Larry Landless came and blended his submission wrestling with our striking skills.

What is your martial arts training background?
I have studied various styles of Martial Arts since the age of 5. I have earned black belts in several different styles including; Tang Soo Doo, Tae Kwon Do, Kyokushin Karate and Ninjitsu. In 1995, I began training in Muay Thai under Kru Puk and Kru Santi at the Muay Thai Academy where I honed my striking knowledge.

Why do you officiate MMA?
I officiate because it is a way to be directly involved in the sport that I have been a part of since its inception.

What is you career background?
I have become a certified teacher under Frank Shamrock and now own and operate the Submission Factory.

What do you do in your time off?
I am very passionate about martial arts, so in my time off you can find me teaching and learning different aspects of martial arts.

 
 
 
   

 
  Greg Kleynjans    

How did you get into MMA?
After training in traditional martial arts for many years I got involved with some like minded guys who all shared techniques and trained in what we thought worked best in street situations,after seeing early UFC events i knew that was it we then focused more on sports combat.

What is your martial arts training background?
I have trained and taught in Wing chun,boxing,BJJ,Krav Maga,Muay Thai I currently teach at Brazilian top team & Street defence tactics I am also the boxing/grappling coach at AFL club Port Adelaide.

Why do you officiate MMA?
I was teaching a Krav Maga seminar in Singapore quite a few years ago and the first KOTC was on Herb was working and asked if I wanted to work with him he taught me a lot at that event and I have since completed his course and continue my MMA officiating I find its a great way to keep involved in a sport I am passionate about especially in Australia where its still in an infant stage and I feel with my experience I can be a benefit to its certain growth.

What is you career background?
I have always worked in hospitality and own a pub/live music venue and am co owner of an MMA gym.

What do you do in your time off?
Spend time with my partner & kids I see a lot of live music and am always training.

         
         
         
   



 
  Mark Smith    

How did you get into MMA?
I had the fortune of watching the very first UFC show, UFC 1, from back in November of 1993, and have been a dedicated fan of the sport ever since.

What is your martial arts background?
I got my first taste of combat sports in college, where I participated in Boxing and Aikido. Throughout the years and in my travels around the world, I have consistently, for almost 20 years trained in some form of martial arts, to include: Muay Thai, Jui Jitsu, Tae Kwando, Judo and Submission Wrestling. I have also instructed in both Boxing and Muay Thai.

Why do you officiate MMA?
There are four passions in my life: 1) My Faith, 2) My Family, 3) Service to my Country and 4) Mixed Martial Arts. As the most amazing and fastest growing sport in the world, I am humbled and honored to play a small role in the sport.

What is you career background?
I am an F-16 Fighter Pilot in the United States Air Force.

What do you do in your time off?
I spend time with my beautiful wife and our four amazing children. I occasionally ("quite often") find time to watch mma fights and teach my kids some new moves. That "1-2 punch and high kick to the head" is going to be their trademark move.

         
         
     
  "This web site is the only official web site of Herb Dean and is © 2005-2012 Copyright HerbDean.com®. Commercial reproduction, distribution or transmission of any part or parts of this web site or any information contained therein by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of HerbDean.com is not permitted." All Rights Reserved. ALL WRONGS REVENGED IN THE OCTAGON!
    Website Design by Lucky Blue Star.com