UFC President Dana White did not mince words when addressing what he deemed a significant officiating error during the recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The bout in question featured lightweights Jalin Turner and Bobby Green, with referee Kerry Hatley at the helm—a veteran official within the sport. The controversy arose after Turner landed a decisive blow that left Green unconscious in the first round, yet Hatley's intervention came 12 seconds later, allowing Turner to continue striking his defenseless opponent.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," said White in a post-event interview. He compared this incident to previous refereeing errors, noting that while some officials have made questionable comments in the past, Hatley recognized his mistake and regretted the oversight. This admission, however, does little to mitigate the potential risks faced by fighters under such circumstances.
Turner, who emerged victorious just two minutes and 49 seconds into the fight, acknowledged the delayed stoppage but defended his actions. He reiterated a fighter's duty to press on until the referee steps in to halt the contest. Despite the controversy surrounding the fight's conclusion, Green exhibited sportsmanship, refraining from criticizing Hatley and instead praising Turner for seizing the moment and performing admirably.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected on Instagram. He emphasized the importance of maintaining grace in victory or defeat and congratulated Turner on his success, especially given Turner's short notice to participate in the co-headlining event.
Green had initially been scheduled to face Dan Hooker; however, an arm injury forced Hooker to withdraw. Turner stepped in on nine days' notice and managed to snap a two-fight losing streak, improving his UFC record to 7-4. Notably, all of Turner's wins in the organization have been finishes by knockout or submission, underscoring his prowess as a finisher.
Community Backlash
The MMA community has been vocal in its criticism of Hatley's late stoppage, sparking a broader conversation about fighter safety and the responsibilities of referees. During the live ESPN broadcast, former middleweight champion Michael Bisping expressed his disapproval. "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, highlighting the severe implications for the fighters' immediate and long-term health.
Daniel Cormier, a former two-division UFC champion, 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, emphasizing the need for quick referee intervention when a fighter is prone and unable to defend themselves.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper echoed these sentiments, labeling the incident as "brutal" and critiquing the lack of timely action from Hatley when it was clear the fighter could no longer protect himself. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he stated.
Dustin Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, concurred, calling it a "horrible stoppage." The MMA community now awaits any potential repercussions or statements from the UFC and governing bodies in response to the widespread outcry over the handling of the fight's critical moment.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine line officials walk between ensuring a fair contest and protecting the athletes who compete. It also underscores the importance of swift and decisive action in the heat of combat, where every second can have lasting consequences. As the discourse around the event continues, it is clear that the MMA community is united in its concern for fighter safety and the quality of officiating that upholds it.