UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he expressed his strong disapproval of referee Kerry Hatley's performance during the recent bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green. The event, which took place at UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, witnessed a controversial moment that has since sparked extensive debate within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
The controversy arose after Turner delivered a knockout blow to Green in the first round. Despite Green being rendered unconscious, Hatley failed to immediately halt the fight, allowing Turner to land additional strikes for an extended 12 seconds before stepping in. This delay prompted White to describe the incident as "one of the worst I've ever seen" during a post-event interview.
White also referenced past instances where referees have made questionable statements to justify their actions but acknowledged that Hatley was aware of his mistake and felt remorseful, which seemed to differentiate this situation from previous controversies.
Turner Defends His Actions
Turner, while recognizing the delayed stoppage, defended his continued engagement, stating that it is the fighter's responsibility to keep fighting until the referee intervenes. This perspective underlines the expectation placed on fighters to focus on competition rather than officiating, even in moments where their opponent can no longer defend themselves.
The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, and despite the contentious circumstances surrounding the stoppage, Green displayed sportsmanship by not blaming Hatley. Instead, he praised Turner for his performance in a statement shared on Instagram, emphasizing grace in both victory and defeat.
Green, who was initially scheduled to face Dan Hooker, found himself facing Turner instead after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner stepped up on short notice, accepting the co-headlining bout with only nine days' preparation. His victory over Green ended a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all his wins coming by way of knockout or submission.
MMA Community Reacts
The late stoppage did not go unnoticed by other figures in the MMA world. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval, questioning what Hatley was waiting for and stressing the potential risk to fighters' lives and long-term health.
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 emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing out that the fighter was prone and receiving punches without timely intervention from the referee.
Chase Hooper, a UFC lightweight, described the incident as "brutal" and remarked that the fighter could not intelligently defend himself, suggesting that the referee should have intervened much sooner. Dustin Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, agreed, labeling it a "horrible stoppage."
As the MMA community awaits further actions or statements from the UFC and regulatory authorities, discussions about fighter safety and the role of referees in protecting athletes continue to be at the forefront. The incident involving Hatley has reignited the conversation about the importance of prompt and decisive officiating in combat sports, where every second can have significant implications for the health and well-being of the fighters involved.
The fallout from this event serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that referees bear and the critical nature of their role in ensuring the safety of the athletes who compete in the sport of mixed martial arts. It also highlights the professionalism and resilience of fighters like Green, who, despite the outcome, maintain respect for their opponents and the sport itself.
As the UFC considers the feedback from its fighters and fans alike, one can hope that measures will be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future, reinforcing the organization's commitment to fighter safety and the integrity of the sport.