UFC president Dana White unleashed a torrent of criticism toward referee Kerry Hatley following what he described as one of the most egregious delayed stoppages in recent memory. The incident occurred during the clash between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas.
Despite Hatley's significant experience officiating in the UFC, his judgment was called into question when he failed to promptly intervene after Turner rendered Green unconscious in the opening round. Turner landed additional strikes on his defenseless opponent for an unsettling 12 seconds before Hatley stepped in to halt the bout.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview. He recalled past instances where referees made questionable comments, but noted that Hatley recognized his mistake, albeit post-factum, and felt remorseful about the situation.
Turner, while acknowledging the stoppage was belated, defended his actions by stating that it is a fighter's duty to continue until the referee steps in. His responsibility inside the Octagon was clear: fight until officially halted.
The fight officially lasted two minutes and forty-nine seconds, with Green managing to exit the Octagon under his own power despite the controversy. Green refrained from criticizing Hatley, choosing instead to praise Turner for his performance.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected on Instagram. He emphasized sportsmanship, both in victory and defeat, and congratulated Turner for seizing the opportunity and achieving success on short notice.
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker; however, an arm injury forced Hooker to withdraw. Turner accepted the co-headlining bout on just nine days' notice, a decision that paid off by snapping a two-fight losing streak and improving his UFC record to 7-4. Notably, all of Turner's wins in the promotion have come by way of knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The late stoppage has raised serious concerns within the MMA community, sparking conversations about the imperative of fighter safety.
During ESPN's live broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping did not mince words expressing his dismay over the incident. Bisping questioned Hatley's delayed action, pointing out the severe risks associated with such oversights—risks that extend beyond the cage and into the fighters' long-term well-being.
"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 lamented.
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 drew attention to the critical nature of the scenario, with the fighter on the ground, receiving blows without any timely intervention from the official.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper added his voice to the chorus, labeling the incident as "brutal" and noting the fighter's inability to defend himself intelligently during the onslaught. Hooper suggested that the referee should have stopped the fight after the first couple of shots on the ground at most.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier also chimed in, condemning the stoppage as "horrible." With such widespread disapproval from prominent figures in the sport, the MMA community awaits any forthcoming actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory bodies concerning the incident.
As the discourse continues, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers present in combat sports and the critical role that referees play in safeguarding the athletes who compete. It underscores the fine line officials walk between allowing fighters to demonstrate their resilience and ensuring their safety—a balance that must be managed with the utmost care and precision to protect the integrity of the sport and the health of its competitors.