I believe there was one he let go a little too long recently, but he is my fav ref.
Click Debate: The delicate stoppage balance in MMA
Herzog was the referee for the Awad-Santos fight. And his decision to let Santos take dozens of unanswered blows to the face centers around that "intelligent defense" rule. In Herzog's interpretation, Santos was following instructions when told to move. He was working to better his position and latch onto Awad's leg for a submission.
"I feel like I'm looking at it from an uneducated standpoint on what it takes to finish or to get a sweep from there," said Herzog, who is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. "I see Cyborg's hips are elevated, he's pressuring off of one leg and this is how I would elevate an opponent if I have half guard in and I'm trying to pull him over and re-attack a heel hook."
Just because Herzog did not necessarily agree with Santos' choice to eat punches while attempting that submission does not mean the fight should be over, in the referee's estimation. The fact that Santos still had the druthers to make such a decision -- right or wrong -- told Herzog that he was still in the fight.
"You're moving," Herzog said. "You're not moving in a way that I think universally people would agree is a good way for you to move, by stopping this punch with your face. But you have 30-plus fights and this is your fight to have. I can't fight this fight for you. I have to let you fight your fight, even if that goes into this spiral that ultimately becomes your detriment."