UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he expressed his disapproval of referee Kerry Hatley's performance during the recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The event was marred by what many have described as a grossly delayed stoppage in the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
In a post-event interview, White labeled the incident "one of the worst I've ever seen," pointing out that despite Hatley's extensive experience, the referee failed to intervene promptly after Turner knocked Green unconscious in the first round. Turner continued to land strikes on his defenseless opponent for an unsettling 12 seconds before Hatley stepped in to halt the fight.
White's Critique
Dana White's critique extended beyond the stoppage itself, as he recalled past instances where referees had made questionable comments to justify their actions in the Octagon. However, he acknowledged that Hatley understood his mistake, adding, "He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate."
Turner, on his part, recognized the stoppage came later than it should have but defended his actions by stating that a fighter's job is to continue until the referee intervenes. The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, and although Green was able to leave the Octagon unassisted, the controversy surrounding the referee's decision remained a focal point of discussion.
Green's Response
Bobby Green chose not to place blame on Hatley for the late stoppage. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner for his performance, highlighting the importance of sportsmanship regardless of the outcome. "You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green said. 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."
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker, who withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner, seizing the opportunity, accepted the co-headlining bout on nine days' notice. His victory over Green not only marked a successful return to form but also improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming via knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The MMA community has been vocal in its criticism of the late stoppage, emphasizing the importance of fighter safety. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping conveyed his strong disapproval, questioning what Hatley was waiting for given the clear danger presented to Green's long-term health.
"People's lives are at stake. Their long-term health is at stake. That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful," Bisping commented, capturing the gravity of the situation.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier took to social media to describe the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the severity of the scenario, where a fighter was left prone on the ground, receiving punches without any timely intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper echoed these sentiments, calling the incident "brutal" and noting that Green was unable to defend himself intelligently throughout the sequence. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," Hooper stated.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier also chimed in, labeling the stoppage as "horrible." With such a strong response from various corners of the MMA world, the community now awaits any potential actions or statements from the UFC and the appropriate regulatory authorities regarding the incident.
This episode has once again brought to light the critical role referees play in ensuring the safety of fighters inside the Octagon. While split-second decisions are part of the sport, the consensus within the MMA community is clear: the protection of fighters must always be paramount, and any failure in this regard cannot be taken lightly.