UFC President Dana White did not mince words when addressing the performance of referee Kerry Hatley at Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The event was marred by what many have described as a dangerously delayed stoppage in the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
Despite Hatley's considerable experience within the Octagon, his judgment came into question after he failed to intervene promptly when Turner rendered Green unconscious with a strike in the first round. An unsettling twelve seconds elapsed as Turner continued to land blows on his defenseless opponent before Hatley stepped in to halt the fight.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White remarked in a post-event interview. He went on to differentiate this incident from past refereeing errors by noting Hatley's immediate recognition of his mistake and his apparent remorse over the situation. "The difference is we've had some refs say some dumb sh*t in the past, like, 'I allowed her to be a warrior tonight,' and goofy sh*t like that. He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate," White explained.
Turner's Take on the Controversy
For his part, Turner acknowledged the delayed stoppage but defended his actions by stating that a fighter's job is to continue the assault until the referee intervenes. This sentiment reflects the ingrained instincts fighters develop through their training and the rules of engagement they follow in combat sports.
The fight officially lasted two minutes and forty-nine seconds, culminating in a first-round stoppage. Impressively, Green was able to leave the Octagon under his own power despite the late intervention. In the aftermath, Green displayed sportsmanship and grace, refraining from casting blame on Hatley for the oversight. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance and show resilience in defeat.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green stated. "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."
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker, who withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner jumped at the chance, stepping in on just nine days' notice for the co-headlining bout. His gamble paid off, snapping a two-fight losing streak and improving his UFC record to 7-4. Notably, all of Turner's victories in the promotion have come by way of knockout or submission.
Community Backlash
The late stoppage has ignited widespread concern within the MMA community, sparking conversations about the critical importance of fighter safety.
During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his strong disapproval. Bisping, known for his candid commentary, questioned the rationale behind Hatley's delayed action, highlighting the potential risks to the 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, calling the incident "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Adding to the chorus of disapproval was former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier, who took to social media to describe the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the severity of the situation, pointing out the danger inherent in a fighter being prone on the ground and taking punches without timely intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also weighed in, labeling the incident as "brutal" and remarking that the fighter was clearly unable to defend himself intelligently throughout the sequence. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he asserted.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier echoed these sentiments, deeming it a "horrible stoppage." As the MMA community reels from the controversy, many are awaiting potential actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities regarding the incident.
In the wake of such events, the spotlight often intensifies on the need for stringent enforcement of safety protocols and perhaps even a review of the guidelines and training provided to referees. The ultimate goal remains to safeguard the well-being of the athletes who put their health on the line for the sport they love.