UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he criticized referee Kerry Hatley for what he described as one of the worst delayed stoppages he's ever seen. The incident in question occurred during Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, in a bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
Despite Hatley's extensive experience in the Octagon, he allowed Turner to continue delivering strikes to an unconscious Green for 12 seconds before intervening. The fight, which lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, ended with Turner being declared the winner by knockout in the first round.
White's Disapproval
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview. He continued by contrasting Hatley's mistake with past refereeing errors where officials have attempted to justify their decisions with unsatisfactory explanations. White acknowledged that Hatley understood his error and felt remorseful, but maintained that it was an unfortunate situation nonetheless.
Turner Defends His Actions
For his part, Turner addressed the delayed stoppage, defending his actions by stating that a fighter's job is to continue the assault until the referee steps in. This stance highlights the often-discussed dilemma fighters face: balancing aggression with sportsmanship, especially in moments where the referee's judgment is in question.
Green's Graceful Response
Bobby Green, who was able to leave the Octagon without assistance after the bout, took to Instagram with a message that exemplified sportsmanship. Rather than casting blame on Hatley for the late stoppage, Green commended Turner for seizing the opportunity and performing admirably. "You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green said, adding, "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."
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner stepped in on nine days' notice. This last-minute change did not deter Turner from success, as he snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all victories coming via knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The late stoppage has raised significant concerns within the MMA community about the importance of safeguarding fighter safety. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his dismay at 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, highlighting the potential risks to fighters' lives and long-term health. He called the incident "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Similarly, 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 severity of the situation, noting the position of the fighter on the ground, vulnerable to punches without timely intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also chimed in, describing the incident as "brutal" and remarking 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 commented.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval was former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier, who labeled it a "horrible stoppage." With such a strong consensus among fighters and experts alike, the MMA community is now looking to see if there will be any repercussions or changes in protocol following this event. Both the UFC and the relevant regulatory authorities have yet to release official statements or take action regarding the incident.
The controversy underscores the delicate balance referees must maintain between allowing fighters to compete fully and protecting them from unnecessary harm. As discussions around fighter safety continue to evolve, incidents like these serve as stark reminders of the responsibilities held by those officiating in the sport of mixed martial arts.