In a recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, an incident involving referee Kerry Hatley has drawn significant criticism from UFC president Dana White and other prominent figures in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community. The controversy stems from what many are calling a delayed stoppage in the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
Despite Hatley's reputation and experience within the UFC, his judgment was called into question when he failed to promptly intervene after Turner rendered Green unconscious in the first round. Turner continued to land strikes on his defenseless opponent for an unsettling 12 seconds before Hatley stepped in to halt the fight.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview, clearly disturbed by the referee's handling of the situation. He went on to differentiate this incident from past refereeing errors by pointing out that Hatley recognized his mistake and regretted the oversight, which did not mitigate the gravity of the situation but showed a level of accountability.
Turner, while acknowledging the belated stoppage, defended his actions by stating that a fighter's job is to continue until the referee intervenes—a protocol that is instilled in fighters to ensure clear outcomes in bouts.
The fight officially lasted two minutes and forty-nine seconds, ending with Green's first-round stoppage. In a testament to his resilience, Green exited the Octagon without assistance and later took to Instagram to express his thoughts. Rather than placing blame on Hatley, Green praised Turner for stepping up on short notice and succeeding in their co-headlining bout.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected. 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. I'm so happy for you. It means the world that you stepped up on short notice and you're having your success. So shout out to you."
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner seized the opportunity. Accepting the fight with only nine days' notice, Turner ended a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all victories coming via knockout or submission.
MMA Community Outcry
The late stoppage has sparked outrage and concern across the MMA community, leading to discussions about the imperative of protecting fighters' safety.
During the ESPN live broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping did not mince words regarding the incident. Bisping questioned Hatley's decision-making process and emphasized the severe risks involved, including potential life-threatening consequences and long-term health implications for fighters subjected to such negligence.
"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 remarked, expressing both disappointment and disbelief at the referee's inaction.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier took to social media to denounce the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the severity of the situation, with the fighter on the ground receiving unanswered punches and the referee failing to act in a timely manner.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also shared his perspective, describing the scene as "brutal" and pointing out the fighter's inability to defend himself intelligently during the onslaught. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he opined, suggesting a more appropriate response time from the referee.
Dustin Poirier, former interim lightweight champion, echoed the sentiments of his peers, labeling the stoppage as "horrible." With the MMA community reeling from the incident, there is a collective anticipation for potential actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities.
Incidents like these highlight the fine line referees walk between allowing fighters to compete fully and protecting them from unnecessary harm. As the aftermath of the Turner-Green fight unfolds, the conversation around referee responsibilities and fighter safety continues to be at the forefront of the sport.