UFC president Dana White did not mince words when he addressed the officiating of referee Kerry Hatley during Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The bout in question featured lightweights Jalin Turner and Bobby Green, a match that concluded with controversy due to what many are calling a delayed stoppage.
After Turner landed a knockout blow on Green in the first round, Hatley's hesitation allowed Turner to continue delivering strikes to his unconscious opponent for an additional 12 seconds before the fight was finally halted. This lapse has drawn sharp criticism from White and others within the MMA community.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White said in a post-event interview. He contrasted Hatley's mistake with past refereeing errors, noting that while others may have offered questionable justifications for their actions, Hatley at least recognized his error, albeit after the fact.
Turner, for his part, defended his continued assault, stating that it is the fighter's job to keep attacking until the referee steps in to stop the contest. Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the stoppage, Turner's victory marked an important rebound, snapping a two-fight losing streak and improving his UFC record to 7-4. Impressively, all of Turner's wins in the promotion have come by way of knockout or submission.
Green, who exited the Octagon under his own power, showed sportsmanship in defeat. He refrained from blaming Hatley and instead praised Turner on social media, emphasizing the importance of grace in both victory and defeat.
The original matchup had pitted Green against Dan Hooker; however, an arm injury forced Hooker to withdraw. Turner stepped in on nine days' notice and capitalized on the opportunity in the co-headlining slot.
Community Reaction
The late stoppage has reignited discussions about fighter safety, with several prominent figures in mixed martial arts voicing their concerns. Michael Bisping, a former UFC middleweight champion, did not hold back during the ESPN broadcast. He questioned Hatley's decision-making and underscored the severe risks involved in such situations.
"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 Twitter to denounce the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier pointed out the danger of the moment, with the fighter defenseless on the ground and the referee failing to intervene swiftly.
Chase Hooper, a UFC lightweight, described the scene as "brutal" and concurred that the fighter could not defend himself intelligently, suggesting that the fight should have been stopped much sooner.
Dustin Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, joined the chorus of disapproval, labeling the stoppage as "horrible." The MMA community now awaits any potential repercussions or official statements from the UFC or other relevant regulatory bodies in response to the incident.
In the wake of the event, the conversation around referee responsibility and the imperative of protecting fighters has once again taken center stage. While the role of a referee in combat sports is undoubtedly challenging, requiring split-second decisions under immense pressure, the health and safety of the athletes remain paramount. This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the weight carried by those decisions and the lasting impact they can have on the competitors involved.
As the UFC continues to grow and evolve, so too does the scrutiny on its officiating. Ensuring that referees are held to the highest standards is essential in maintaining the integrity of the sport and the well-being of its fighters. As this story develops, further discussions and potential policy changes are likely to emerge, all with the goal of preventing similar occurrences in the future.