UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he addressed the officiating of referee Kerry Hatley during Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The bout in question saw Jalin Turner face off against Bobby Green, with a controversial stoppage that has since ignited widespread criticism from within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
Hatley, who boasts considerable experience as a UFC official, has come under fire for his hesitancy to halt the fight after Turner landed a knockout blow on Green in the opening round. Turner continued to deliver strikes to his unconscious opponent for an unsettling 12 seconds before Hatley intervened.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White declared in a post-event interview. He recalled past instances where referees have made questionable comments, such as allowing fighters to "be a warrior," but noted that Hatley recognized his error and felt remorseful about the situation.
Turner, while acknowledging the delayed stoppage, defended his actions by emphasizing that it is a fighter's duty to continue the assault until the referee steps in to stop the contest.
The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds. Despite the contentious nature of the stoppage, Green walked out of the Octagon without assistance and refrained from casting blame on Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance and sportsmanship.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected. He continued, "I just want to show people that you've got to keep it 'G' whether you win or lose. Shout out to Jalin. You did your thing, brother. 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 scheduled to fight Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner seized the opportunity. Accepting the co-headlining bout on just nine days' notice, Turner snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all his victories coming by way of knockout or submission.
MMA Community Outcry
The late stoppage has sparked concerns over fighter safety, prompting discussions among MMA figures about the need for vigilant and timely officiating.
During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping did not hold back on his condemnation of the incident. Bisping questioned Hatley's decision-making process, stressing the potential risk to fighters' lives and their long-term health. "He was face down, getting teed off on by a very powerful striker. Kerry Hatley is a great referee, but what the hell was he waiting for?" Bisping lamented, calling the oversight "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to express his dismay, labeling the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier pointed out the severity of the situation, with the fighter on the ground, receiving punches without any prompt action from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also shared his perspective, branding the incident as "brutal" and noting that the fighter was clearly unable to defend himself intelligently during the exchange. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he opined.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier echoed these sentiments, deeming it a "horrible stoppage." As the MMA community reels from this event, many are awaiting further actions or statements from the UFC and the governing authorities concerning the matter.
This incident has once again brought to light the critical role referees play in ensuring the safety of fighters inside the Octagon. With the physical and mental well-being of athletes at stake, the pressure is on for all involved in the sport to prioritize stringent adherence to protocols designed to protect fighters from unnecessary harm.