UFC president Dana White did not mince words when he expressed his dismay at referee Kerry Hatley's handling of the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green during Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. Despite Hatley's extensive experience within the UFC, his delayed intervention after Turner rendered Green unconscious in the first round has drawn sharp criticism from various corners of the MMA community.
The incident occurred when Turner delivered a knockout blow to Green, who then lay defenseless on the canvas. Turner, following the fighter's protocol to continue until the referee steps in, continued to land strikes for an unsettling 12 seconds before Hatley intervened. White, known for his forthrightness, described the episode as "one of the worst I've ever seen" in a post-event interview.
White's frustration was palpable as he recounted past instances where referees have made questionable comments, but he acknowledged 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, while noting the stoppage was belated, defended his actions by reiterating the fighter's responsibility to keep fighting until the referee stops the contest. The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, culminating in a first-round stoppage with Green exiting the Octagon under his own power. Amidst the controversy, Green 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' whether you win or 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 are finding success. So shout out to you."
Green had been scheduled to fight Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner seized the opportunity to step in on nine days' notice. This co-headlining bout allowed Turner to snap a two-fight losing streak and improve his UFC record to 7-4, with all his victories coming by way of knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The late stoppage has ignited widespread concern within the MMA community, prompting discussions about the critical importance of fighter safety. During the live broadcast on ESPN, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval of the late intervention, stressing the potential risks 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 questioned, adding, "People's lives are at stake. Their long-term health is at stake. That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to call the stoppage "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." He pointed out the seriousness of the situation, with the fighter prone on the ground taking punches without prompt intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also weighed in, describing the incident as "brutal" and pointing out that the fighter was unable to defend himself intelligently throughout the sequence. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he stated.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the chorus of voices condemning the stoppage, labeling it as "horrible." With such a strong consensus emerging from within the ranks of MMA, the community now awaits any potential actions or statements from the UFC and relevant authorities regarding the incident.
The aftermath of this event places a spotlight on the responsibilities of referees to protect fighters and ensure the integrity of the sport. As debates and discussions continue, the hope is that lessons will be learned and similar occurrences will be prevented in the future, safeguarding the well-being of the athletes who compete in the octagon.