UFC president Dana White did not mince words when addressing the performance of referee Kerry Hatley during Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The bout in question featured lightweights Jalin Turner and Bobby Green, where a significant delay in stopping the fight led to a wave of criticism from White and the mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
Hatley, despite his extensive experience within the UFC, has come under fire for failing to promptly intervene after Turner rendered Green unconscious with a series of strikes in the first round. Turner continued to deliver blows to his defenseless 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 compared this incident unfavorably to previous referee missteps, adding, "He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate."
Turner, while acknowledging the stoppage should have come sooner, defended his actions by stating that a fighter's job is to continue until the referee intervenes. The fight officially lasted two minutes and forty-nine seconds, and Green was able to leave the Octagon on his own following the conclusion. In the aftermath, 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' when you win, and you've got to keep it 'G' when you lose. Shout out to Jalin. You did your thing, brother."
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker; however, Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner then stepped in on nine days' notice and capitalized on the co-headlining opportunity, snapping a two-fight losing streak and improving his UFC record to 7-4. Impressively, all of Turner's victories in the UFC have been finishes by knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The controversy surrounding the late stoppage has sparked intense debate within the MMA community about the imperative of safeguarding fighters' well-being.
During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping conveyed his strong disapproval of the situation. "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, stressing the potential risks to fighters' lives and long-term health. "That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful," he added.
Daniel Cormier, former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to categorize the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." He underscored the severity of the situation, pointing out the fighter's vulnerable position on the ground and the lack of timely intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also chimed in, describing the incident as "brutal" and noting that Green was unable to defend himself intelligently during the onslaught. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he opined.
Even Dustin Poirier, the former interim lightweight champion, labeled it a "horrible stoppage." As the MMA world reacts, there is anticipation for any potential actions or statements from the UFC and regulatory bodies concerning the incident.
The integrity of the sport hinges on the ability of referees to make swift and accurate decisions to protect the athletes competing inside the octagon. This incident has highlighted the need for continuous education and perhaps reevaluation of the protocols and training provided to referees. Ensuring fighter safety is paramount, and the MMA community is calling for accountability and measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
As the dust settles on this event, one can only hope that it serves as a catalyst for positive change, reinforcing the commitment to fighter safety that is at the heart of the sport. The UFC and athletic commissions are likely to review this incident closely to ensure that the standards of officiating match the high stakes involved in every fight.