In a recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, an incident involving referee Kerry Hatley has drawn sharp criticism from UFC president Dana White and several notable figures within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community. The controversy stems from what many have described as a dangerously delayed stoppage during the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
White's Harsh Words for Referee's Decision
Despite Hatley's extensive experience officiating in the UFC, he hesitated to intervene after Turner delivered a knockout blow to Green in the opening round. This hesitation allowed Turner to continue landing strikes on his unconscious opponent for an additional 12 seconds before Hatley stepped in to halt the contest.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview. He recalled past instances where referees made questionable comments, but 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.
Turner Defends His Actions Post-Fight
Turner, while acknowledging the oversight, defended his continued aggression by stating that a fighter's job is to keep fighting until the referee stops the action. The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, with Turner emerging victorious. Following the first-round stoppage, Green managed to leave the Octagon under his own power.
Despite the contentious ending to the fight, Green refrained from blaming Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance, emphasizing sportsmanship in victory and defeat. "You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green said. "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."
Originally scheduled to face Dan Hooker, Green's plans changed after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner, seizing the opportunity, accepted the co-headlining bout on nine days' notice. His victory over Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming via knockout or submission.
Community Outcry Over Late Stoppage
The late stoppage has ignited a firestorm of concern for fighter safety within the MMA community. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval, questioning Hatley's delayed reaction and stressing the potential risk to fighters' lives and long-term health. "He was face down, 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.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier took to social media to condemn 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 defenseless against further strikes.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also expressed his dismay, labeling the incident as "brutal" and noting the fighter's inability to defend himself intelligently during the sequence. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he remarked.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier echoed these sentiments, deeming the stoppage "horrible." The MMA community now awaits any potential actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities in response to this incident.
The outcry following the event underscores the critical importance of referee intervention in protecting the health and safety of fighters. While the nature of combat sports inherently carries risks, the role of the referee is to mitigate those risks by ensuring timely and appropriate stoppages. As the discussion continues, it is clear that the MMA community is united in its concern over the events that transpired in Austin and the need for accountability and adherence to safety protocols.