UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he expressed his strong disapproval of referee Kerry Hatley's performance during the recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The bout in question saw Jalin Turner face off against Bobby Green, with a controversial ending that has sparked widespread debate within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
The incident occurred after Turner landed a decisive blow that left Green unconscious in the first round. Despite Green being clearly incapacitated, Hatley failed to intervene promptly, allowing Turner to continue delivering strikes for an additional 12 seconds before finally halting the fight.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview. He contrasted Hatley's hesitation with past refereeing errors, acknowledging that while referees have previously made questionable comments, Hatley recognized his mistake and felt remorseful about the situation.
Turner, on his part, defended his actions by stating that it is his responsibility as a fighter to continue until the referee steps in. The fight officially ended at two minutes and 49 seconds of the first round, and despite the contentious stoppage, Green walked out of the Octagon without assistance. In a gracious response to the outcome, Green took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance rather than criticize Hatley.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected. "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. 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."
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner seized the opportunity, stepping in on nine days' notice. His victory over Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4. Notably, all of Turner's wins in the UFC have been via knockout or submission.
MMA Community Reacts
The late stoppage has raised serious concerns regarding fighter safety, prompting figures from across the MMA world to voice their criticisms. During the live broadcast on ESPN, former champion Michael Bisping did not hold back, questioning what Hatley was waiting for and emphasizing the risks to fighters' lives and long-term health.
"He was face down, getting teed off on by a world-class, very powerful striker. Kerry Hatley is a great referee, but what the hell was he waiting for?" Bisping said. "People's lives are at stake. Their long-term health is at stake. That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, former two-weight UFC champion, echoed these sentiments on social media, calling it "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." He pointed out the severity of the situation with the fighter prone on the ground, receiving punches without any timely intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also described the incident as "brutal," noting that the fighter was unable to intelligently defend himself and suggesting that the referee should have stopped the match after the first couple of shots on the ground at most.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the chorus of disapproval, labeling the incident a "horrible stoppage." With such a unified front of concern from the MMA community, attention now turns to the UFC and relevant authorities as they consider potential actions or statements in response to this incident.
The repercussions of this event are yet to be fully realized, but the consensus is clear: the safety of fighters is paramount, and referees have a critical role in ensuring that MMA remains a competitive sport without compromising the well-being of its athletes. As discussions continue, the hope is that this unfortunate occurrence will lead to renewed focus on the importance of timely and decisive action by referees to protect fighters in the octagon.