UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he addressed the officiating of referee Kerry Hatley at Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The event was marred by what many have called a glaring error in judgment following a first-round knockout that saw Jalin Turner defeat Bobby Green.
Hatley, who boasts a lengthy career as a UFC official, has come under fire for his delayed reaction after Turner landed a decisive blow that rendered Green unconscious. Despite the clear knockout, Turner was allowed to continue delivering strikes for an additional 12 seconds before Hatley intervened—a delay that White described as "one of the worst I've ever seen" during a post-event interview.
White continued, highlighting the gravity of such lapses in judgment by contrasting it with past refereeing errors, which sometimes included controversial comments justifying their decisions. However, he acknowledged that Hatley recognized his mistake and regretted the oversight, though the incident remains a significant point of contention.
Turner, on his part, stood by his actions in the octagon. He emphasized that a fighter's job is to fight until the referee steps in, thus deflecting any suggestion that he should have ceased his assault on his own accord. The bout officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, with Green ultimately walking out of the Octagon without assistance.
Despite the controversy, Green refrained from criticizing Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance, displaying sportsmanship even in defeat. He stated, "You win some, you lose some, I guess," before 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. Shout out to Jalin. You did your thing, brother."
Green had been initially scheduled to face Dan Hooker; however, an arm injury forced Hooker to withdraw. Turner seized the unexpected opportunity, stepping in on nine days' notice for the co-headlining bout. His victory over Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4. Notably, all of Turner's wins in the promotion have been finishes—by knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The late stoppage has sparked widespread concern within the MMA community, leading to discussions about fighter safety and the responsibilities of referees. During the live broadcast on ESPN, former champion Michael Bisping expressed his dismay at the situation. He questioned Hatley's decision-making process, stressing the potential risks to fighters' lives and long-term health. Bisping described the scene as "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to echo these sentiments, labeling the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier pointed out the danger of the situation, with the fighter being prone on the ground and defenseless against the onslaught without timely intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also voiced his opinion, characterizing the incident as "brutal" and pointing out that Green was unable to defend himself intelligently during the barrage. He suggested that the referee should have stopped the fight after the first couple of shots once Green was grounded.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the chorus of critics, condemning the stoppage as "horrible." As the MMA community reacts, there is anticipation for a response or action from the UFC and relevant regulatory bodies concerning the incident.
The fallout from this event serves as a stark reminder of the critical role referees play in ensuring the safety of fighters. It also underscores the fine line officials must walk between allowing athletes to compete fully and protecting them from unnecessary harm. As the sport continues to evolve, so too does the scrutiny on those charged with upholding its integrity and the well-being of its competitors.