UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he addressed the officiating of referee Kerry Hatley during the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green at Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. Despite Hatley's seasoned career as a UFC official, his hesitation to stop the fight after Turner rendered Green unconscious in the opening round has drawn widespread criticism.
The match, which lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, saw Turner continue to strike his incapacitated opponent for an unsettling 12 seconds before Hatley intervened. "It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White said in a post-event interview. He compared this incident unfavorably to past refereeing mistakes, noting that while referees have previously made questionable comments about their decisions, Hatley was immediately aware of his error and regretted it.
Turner, who won the fight, acknowledged the delayed stoppage but stood by his actions, stating that a fighter must keep fighting until the referee steps in. This sentiment echoes the unwritten rules of combat sports where fighters are trained to engage until officially halted by the referee.
Despite the controversy surrounding the fight's conclusion, Green showed remarkable sportsmanship. He departed the Octagon without assistance and refrained from blaming Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance, emphasizing the importance of grace in victory and defeat alike. "You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green stated, praising Turner for stepping up on short notice and succeeding.
Green's original opponent was Dan Hooker, who had to withdraw due to an arm injury. Turner seized the opportunity, accepting the co-headlining bout with just 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 by knockout or submission.
Community Outcry Over Late Stoppage
The MMA community has been vocal in its concerns following the late stoppage, sparking discussions about fighter safety. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping expressed his dismay at the situation, questioning why Hatley delayed stopping the fight and highlighting the potential risk to the fighters' well-being. "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 remarked, calling the incident "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to denounce the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier pointed out the danger of the situation, noting the fighter's vulnerable position on the ground and taking punches without timely intervention.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also weighed in, describing the incident as "brutal" and criticizing the lack of immediate action from the referee when the fighter was clearly unable to defend himself. Dustin Poirier, former interim lightweight champion, echoed these sentiments, labeling it a "horrible stoppage."
The aftermath of the event has left the MMA community awaiting responses or potential measures from the UFC and regulatory authorities regarding the incident. The outcry underscores the critical nature of a referee's role in ensuring the safety of the fighters, a responsibility that carries significant weight given the potential consequences of inaction.
In the wake of such events, the conversation often turns to the need for consistent and rigorous training for referees, as well as the possibility of implementing additional safeguards to protect athletes. While the physicality and risks inherent to mixed martial arts are understood by those who step into the cage, the imperative to minimize unnecessary harm remains paramount.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine line officials walk between allowing a fighter to compete fully and protecting them from undue harm. As the sport continues to evolve, so too must the vigilance and proficiency of those charged with overseeing its conduct.