UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he expressed his strong disapproval of referee Kerry Hatley's performance during the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green at Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. Despite Hatley's extensive experience in the octagon, he hesitated to stop the fight after Turner knocked Green unconscious in the first round, allowing Turner to continue landing blows on his defenseless opponent for a concerning 12 seconds before intervening.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview. He went on to criticize some past justifications offered by referees for delayed stoppages but acknowledged that Hatley recognized his mistake and felt remorseful about the incident.
Fighter's Perspective
Turner, who emerged victorious from the match, addressed the delayed stoppage, highlighting that it is a fighter's duty to keep fighting until the referee steps in to halt the action. This sentiment underscores the protocol within mixed martial arts where combatants are trained to continue their assault until they are explicitly told to stop by the official overseeing the fight.
The fight, which lasted two minutes and forty-nine seconds, ended with Green being able to leave the Octagon under his own power. Despite the controversy surrounding the stoppage, Green displayed sportsmanship by not blaming Hatley for the incident. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner for his performance and to convey a message about handling both victories and defeats with grace.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected. "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 face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner seized the opportunity, stepping in on nine days' notice for the co-headlining bout. His victory over Green halted a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming via knockout or submission.
Community Reaction
The late stoppage has sparked widespread concern within the MMA community, igniting discussions about the critical importance of ensuring fighter safety.
During the live broadcast on ESPN, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval vehemently, questioning the rationale behind Hatley's delayed intervention and stressing the potential risks to fighters' lives and long-term health. "He was face down, he was 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 lamented. "People's lives are at stake. Their long-term health is at stake. That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier shared his thoughts on social media, labeling the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the seriousness of the situation, pointing out the danger of a fighter being prone on the ground and taking punches without timely intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also described the incident as "brutal," insisting that the fighter was unable to defend himself intelligently throughout the sequence. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he said.
Even former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the chorus of criticism, calling it a "horrible stoppage." As the MMA community reacts, there is a growing anticipation for any potential actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities regarding this incident.
The aftermath of the fight between Turner and Green has highlighted the delicate balance referees must maintain between allowing fighters to compete fully and protecting them from unnecessary harm. The discourse following the event serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers of combat sports and the paramount importance of referee vigilance in safeguarding the well-being of the athletes who step into the octagon.