UFC president Dana White did not mince words when he expressed his strong disapproval of referee Kerry Hatley's performance during the recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The event was marred by what many have deemed a significant oversight by Hatley, which occurred during the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
In a bout that ended in controversy, Turner knocked out Green in the first round, but the referee's delayed intervention allowed Turner to continue striking his unconscious opponent for an additional 12 seconds before Hatley stepped in. This incident has sparked a firestorm of criticism from various quarters of the MMA community.
Dana White's Critique
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White said in a post-event interview. He recalled past instances where referees had made questionable comments justifying their decisions, but noted that Hatley was aware of his mistake this time around. "He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate," White added.
Turner, on the other hand, defended his actions by stating that as a fighter, it is his job to keep fighting until the referee intervenes. The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, and despite the controversial ending, Green walked out of the Octagon without assistance and chose not to blame Hatley for the late stoppage. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance and maintain a positive attitude.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected. "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 was originally set to face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner took the co-headlining spot 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 Response
The late stoppage has raised serious concerns about fighter safety within the MMA community. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping did not hold back his criticism. "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 questioned, underscoring the potential risks to fighters' lives and long-term health. "That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful," he concluded.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval was former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier, who took to social media to describe the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier pointed out the danger of the situation, with the fighter prone on the ground and taking punches without the referee's timely intervention.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also chimed in, calling the incident "brutal" and noting 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.
Even former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the conversation, labeling it a "horrible stoppage." With such widespread condemnation from notable figures in MMA, the community is now awaiting any potential actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities in response to this incident.
The outcry following the fight highlights the ongoing concern for fighter safety in combat sports, where the role of the referee is crucial in protecting athletes from unnecessary harm. As discussions continue, the hope is that this event will serve as a learning experience leading to improved officiating standards and protocols to better safeguard the well-being of fighters stepping into the octagon.