UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he addressed the referee's performance in the recent bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. Referee Kerry Hatley faced intense scrutiny for what many deemed a delayed stoppage after Turner rendered Green unconscious in the opening round.
Despite Hatley's seasoned history officiating in the UFC, his hesitation to intervene allowed Turner to continue delivering strikes to his incapacitated opponent for an alarming 12 seconds before the referee finally stepped in. White, known for his forthrightness, described the incident as "one of the worst I've ever seen" during a post-event interview.
White also referenced past instances where referees have made controversial statements following contentious calls, but he noted that Hatley recognized his error. "He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate," White added, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
Turner Defends His Actions
Turner, on his part, stood by his actions in the Octagon, stating that a fighter must continue until the referee steps in. This stance aligns with the fighter's training and the rules of the sport, which dictate that a fight goes on until the referee signals otherwise.
The fight itself lasted only two minutes and 49 seconds, culminating in a first-round stoppage. Remarkably, Green was able to exit the Octagon without assistance despite the controversy surrounding the fight's conclusion. He displayed sportsmanship by refraining from blaming Hatley and instead praised Turner for his performance.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected on Instagram. He continued, "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 had initially been set to face Dan Hooker, but those plans were derailed when Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner seized the opportunity, stepping in on nine days' notice for the co-headlining bout. His victory against Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming by knockout or submission.
Community Backlash
The late stoppage has raised serious concerns within the MMA community, sparking discussions about fighter safety—a paramount aspect of the sport. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval, questioning Hatley's delayed intervention and stressing the potential risks involved.
"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 remarked, highlighting the severe implications for the fighters' lives and long-term health. "That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful," he concluded.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier took to social media to label the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the severity of the situation, pointing out the danger of a fighter being prone and receiving punches without timely intervention from the official.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also chimed in, describing the sequence as "brutal" and noting the fighter's inability to defend himself intelligently. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," Hooper asserted.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the ranks of those condemning the stoppage, calling it "horrible." As the MMA community continues to react, there is anticipation for any forthcoming actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory bodies in response to the incident.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role referees play in ensuring the safety of fighters. The MMA community will be watching closely to see how the sport's governing bodies address this issue and work to prevent similar occurrences in the future.