UFC President Criticizes Referee for Delayed Stoppage
In a recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, an incident involving a delayed stoppage by referee Kerry Hatley has drawn strong criticism from UFC president Dana White and other notable figures within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community. The fight between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green ended controversially when Turner knocked Green unconscious in the first round, yet the referee allowed the bout to continue for an additional 12 seconds before intervening.
Despite Hatley's significant experience as a UFC official, his hesitation to stop the fight promptly led to Turner landing several unnecessary strikes on his defenseless opponent. In a post-event interview, Dana White did not mince words, describing the incident as "one of the worst I've ever seen." White highlighted past instances where referees have made questionable comments but acknowledged that Hatley was aware of his mistake and regretted the oversight.
Turner, who emerged victorious after two minutes and 49 seconds of action, defended his conduct by stating that it is the fighter's job to continue until the referee steps in. On the other side, Green, who managed to leave the Octagon unaided, refrained from blaming Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance, saying, "You win some, you lose some, I guess," and emphasizing sportsmanship in victory and defeat.
Originally scheduled to face Dan Hooker, Green's opponent changed after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner, seizing the opportunity, accepted the co-headlining bout on nine days' notice. His victory over Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming via knockout or submission.
Community Reaction and Fighter Safety Concerns
The late stoppage has raised alarm within the MMA community about fighter safety. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval, questioning what Hatley was waiting for as Green lay prone, absorbing hits from a powerful striker. Bisping stressed the potential risks involved, pointing out that fighters' lives and long-term health could be jeopardized by such oversights.
Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier expressed his dismay on social media, calling the incident "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the severity of the situation, with the fighter unable to defend himself on the ground while the referee failed to act swiftly.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper echoed these sentiments, describing the scene as "brutal" and noting that Green was incapable of intelligent defense during the onslaught. Hooper suggested that the match should have been halted after one or two ground strikes at most.
Dustin Poirier, the former interim lightweight champion, also weighed in, deeming the stoppage "horrible." The MMA community now awaits any potential actions or statements from the UFC and regulatory authorities in response to the incident.
The outcry following the event has put a spotlight on the critical role referees play in ensuring the safety of fighters. With the sport's inherent risks, the pressure is on officials to make split-second decisions that prioritize the well-being of athletes. This incident will likely serve as a cautionary tale and could potentially lead to discussions on how to improve officiating standards and protocols.
As the conversation continues, the importance of referee training and judgment is underscored, highlighting the need for constant vigilance in a sport where the stakes are incredibly high. The MMA community will be watching closely to see how the UFC addresses this issue and what measures will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
For now, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of combat sports and the paramount importance of fighter protection. It is a call to action for all involved—from referees to promoters—to ensure that the integrity of the sport and the safety of its athletes are never compromised.