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. The fight, which ended in a first-round knockout victory for Turner, was marred by what many have called a dangerously delayed stoppage by the veteran referee.
After Turner delivered a knock-out blow that left Green unconscious, Hatley failed to promptly intervene, allowing Turner to continue delivering strikes for an additional 12 seconds. This lapse has been widely criticized as it put the fighter's safety at severe risk.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview, highlighting the gravity of the mistake made by Hatley. Despite Hatley's experience, his hesitation on this occasion has drawn significant attention to the issue of fighter safety within the sport.
White also pointed out that while there have been past instances of referees justifying their decisions with questionable reasoning, Hatley recognized his error, albeit post-factum. "He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate," White added.
Turner's Reaction
Jalin Turner, who emerged victorious from the controversial fight, acknowledged the delayed stoppage but defended his actions by stating that it is a fighter's job to continue until the referee steps in. This sentiment underscores the protocol within mixed martial arts (MMA) where fighters are trained to compete until officially halted by the referee.
The fight lasted only two minutes and forty-nine seconds, and despite the contentious circumstances surrounding the ending, Green showed sportsmanship by leaving the Octagon without assistance and later commending Turner's performance via social media.
"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 after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner took the opportunity to step in on nine days' notice for the co-headlining fight. His victory over Green ended a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming by way of knockout or submission.
Community Backlash
The MMA community has not been silent about the late stoppage, raising concerns about the importance of protecting fighters inside the octagon. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his dismay, questioning Hatley's judgment and emphasizing the serious risks involved when a fighter is allowed to take unnecessary punishment.
"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 commented, calling the incident "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to express his outrage, labeling the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier highlighted the dire situation of the fighter being prone on the ground and taking punches without the referee's timely intervention.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper echoed these sentiments, describing the sequence as "brutal" and pointing out that Green was unable to defend himself intelligently. Dustin Poirier, former interim lightweight champion, also chimed in, deeming it a "horrible stoppage."
As the MMA community awaits further action or statements from the UFC and other relevant authorities, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role referees play in ensuring the safety and well-being of the athletes who compete in the sport of mixed martial arts.