UFC president Dana White did not mince words when expressing his disapproval of referee Kerry Hatley's performance during Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. In a bout that saw Jalin Turner face off against Bobby Green, Hatley was criticized for what many are calling a delayed stoppage after Turner rendered Green unconscious in the first round.
Despite Hatley's extensive experience within the octagon, he failed to intervene promptly after Turner delivered the decisive blow. As a result, Turner continued to land strikes on his defenseless opponent for an agonizing 12 seconds before Hatley stepped in to halt the contest.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview. He went on to differentiate between this incident and past refereeing errors, noting that while some referees have made questionable comments defending their actions, Hatley was aware of his mistake and regretful of the outcome.
Turner, who emerged victorious from the encounter, recognized the delayed stoppage but defended his actions by highlighting the fighter's responsibility to continue until the referee steps in. This protocol is ingrained in fighters to ensure they do not prematurely cease their offensive, potentially altering the outcome of the fight if their opponent recovers.
Green's Gracious Defeat
The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, with Green eventually leaving the Octagon under his own power. Despite the controversy surrounding the fight's conclusion, Green directed no blame at Hatley, instead choosing to commend Turner for his performance.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected on Instagram. He continued, "I just want to show people that you've got to keep it 'G' when you win, and you've got to keep it 'G' when you lose. Shout out to Jalin. You did your thing, brother. I'm so happy for you. It means the world that you stepped up on short notice and you're having your success. So shout out to you."
Green was initially set to compete against Dan Hooker, but an arm injury forced Hooker to withdraw. Turner seized the opportunity, stepping in on nine days' notice for the co-headlining spot. His victory over Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming via knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The late stoppage has sparked significant concern within the MMA community, prompting discussions about the importance of fighter safety and the role of referees in protecting athletes.
During the live ESPN broadcast, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping voiced his strong disapproval of Hatley's decision-making. Bisping highlighted the potential risks to fighters' lives and long-term health, questioning what Hatley was waiting for as Green lay prone, taking shots from Turner, a known powerful striker.
Similarly, Daniel Cormier, former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to denounce the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the seriousness of the situation, pointing out that Green was unable to intelligently defend himself while being struck on the ground.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper described the incident as "brutal" and insisted that the fight should have been stopped after one or two shots once Green was grounded. Dustin Poirier, former interim lightweight champion, also labeled the stoppage as "horrible."
As the MMA community continues to process the events of the fight, there is a growing expectation for the UFC and regulatory authorities to address the incident. The calls for action reflect a broader concern for the welfare of fighters and the standards to which MMA referees are held. Ensuring the safety of fighters is paramount, and this incident has undoubtedly reignited the conversation about best practices within the sport.
With the fallout from the controversial stoppage still unfolding, the spotlight now turns to the UFC and relevant governing bodies to respond. Whether this will lead to changes in referee protocols or other measures to enhance fighter safety remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the MMA community is united in its desire to prevent such occurrences in the future, advocating for the well-being of those who step into the octagon.