UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he addressed what he described as a glaring mistake by referee Kerry Hatley during the UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The event, which featured a bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green, was marred by controversy due to a delayed stoppage that left many in the MMA community outraged.
The incident occurred after Turner landed a knockout blow on Green in the opening round. Despite Green being rendered unconscious, Hatley failed to intervene promptly, allowing Turner to land additional strikes for an agonizing 12 seconds before finally halting the fight. White, known for his forthrightness, labeled it "one of the worst" stoppages he had ever witnessed in his post-event interview.
White's dissatisfaction was palpable as he reflected on past refereeing errors, noting that while some referees have made questionable comments in the past, Hatley was fully aware of his misjudgment this time around. Despite the gravity of the error, Turner defended his actions in the octagon, stating that it is a fighter's duty to continue until the referee steps in—a sentiment that underscores the critical role of referees in ensuring fighter safety.
Green's Gracious Response
The fight, which lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, concluded with Green leaving the Octagon without assistance. In a display of sportsmanship, Green refrained from criticizing Hatley and instead took to Instagram to commend Turner for his performance. His message highlighted the importance of grace in victory and defeat, extending congratulations to Turner for seizing the opportunity presented to him.
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker, but an arm injury forced Hooker to withdraw. Turner stepped in on short notice—just nine days before the co-headlining bout—and managed to snap a two-fight losing streak, improving his UFC record to 7-4. Impressively, all of Turner's wins in the UFC have been finishes, either by knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The late stoppage has sparked intense debate within the MMA community about referee accountability and fighter safety. Live on ESPN, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval, questioning Hatley's decision-making as the situation unfolded in the octagon. Bisping stressed the potential consequences such delays could have on the fighters' health and well-being, branding the oversight as "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to condemn the stoppage, calling it "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier drew attention to the severity of the situation, with the fighter defenseless and prone on the canvas, taking hits without any timely intervention from Hatley.
Chase Hooper, a UFC lightweight, also expressed his concern, describing the scene as "brutal" and pointing out the fighter's inability to defend himself intelligently during those moments. Hooper suggested that the fight should have been stopped after the first couple of shots once the fighter was grounded.
Even Dustin Poirier, the former interim lightweight champion, weighed in, condemning the stoppage as "horrible." With such strong reactions coming from various quarters of the MMA world, the community is now looking to the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities for their response to this contentious episode.
This incident has once again brought to light the crucial role referees play in combat sports. Their decisions—or indecisions—can have lasting impacts on the athletes they are meant to protect. As the discussion continues, it is evident that the MMA community expects measures to be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future, ensuring that fighter safety remains paramount in the sport.
In the wake of the outcry, the spotlight is firmly on the UFC and the officiating bodies to address the concerns raised and to reinforce the standards expected of referees in the sport. The integrity of MMA and the welfare of its competitors depend on the swift and judicious application of the rules, with referees acting decisively to safeguard the fighters who put their trust in them each time they step into the octagon.