UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he criticized referee Kerry Hatley for what he deemed a delayed stoppage in the fight between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green. The bout, which was part of Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, ended controversially when Turner knocked Green unconscious in the first round. Despite Hatley's extensive experience as a UFC official, it took him an alarming 12 seconds to intervene after Green was rendered defenseless, allowing Turner to continue delivering strikes.
Dana White's Scathing Review
In a post-event interview, White described the incident as "one of the worst I've ever seen." He recalled past instances where referees have made questionable comments or decisions but noted that Hatley recognized his error. "The difference is we've had some refs say some dumb sh*t in the past, like, 'I allowed her to be a warrior tonight,' and goofy sh*t like that," White explained. "He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate."
Turner Defends His Actions
Turner, on his part, acknowledged the delay but defended his actions in the Octagon. He stated that as a fighter, his job is to keep fighting until the referee steps in to halt the action. This perspective aligns with the fighter's protocol to remain engaged in combat until officially stopped by the overseeing official, highlighting the critical role referees play in ensuring fighter safety.
The fight, lasting just two minutes and 49 seconds, concluded with Green leaving the Octagon unassisted—a sign that, despite the controversy, he sustained no serious injuries. Green displayed sportsmanship by refraining from blaming Hatley and instead praised Turner for his performance. On Instagram, Green shared, "You win some, you lose some, I guess. 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."
Originally, Green was set to face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner stepped up on short notice. This opportunity turned out to be fortuitous for Turner, who snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming via knockout or submission.
Community Outcry Over Late Stoppage
The late stoppage has raised alarm within the MMA community, sparking discussions about the paramount importance of fighter safety. Live broadcast commentary from former champion Michael Bisping did not hold back on criticizing the officiating. "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 questioned, stressing the potential risk to fighters' lives and long-term health. "That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful," he added.
Other prominent figures in the MMA world also expressed their dismay. Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier took to social media to describe the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underlined the seriousness of the situation, pointing out the fighter's vulnerability while on the ground without prompt intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper echoed these sentiments, calling the incident "brutal" and noting the fighter's inability to defend himself intelligently during the sequence. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he commented. Dustin Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, concurred, labeling it a "horrible stoppage."
The MMA community is now looking to the UFC and the relevant regulatory authorities for a response to this incident. Such events often lead to reviews of refereeing protocols and the introduction of additional measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, as fighter safety remains a top priority for the sport.
As the discourse continues, it becomes increasingly clear that every second counts in the Octagon—not just for the outcome of the fight but, more crucially, for the well-being of the athletes who compete. The hope is that this incident will serve as a learning experience, leading to improvements in how fights are officiated to ensure that the health and safety of fighters are always placed above all else.