UFC President Dana White did not mince words in his post-event interview when he described referee Kerry Hatley's delayed stoppage during the fight between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green as "one of the worst I've ever seen." The bout, which took place at UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, ended controversially when Turner knocked Green unconscious in the first round, but Hatley allowed several additional strikes before intervening—12 seconds later, to be precise.
Immediate Backlash from MMA Community
The incident has not only drawn ire from White but also from a number of prominent figures within the mixed martial arts (MMA) community. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping expressed strong disapproval, questioning the rationale behind such a dangerously delayed intervention. Bisping stressed the potential risks to fighters' lives and long-term health, calling the situation "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Adding to the chorus of criticism, 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 underscored the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the fighter's vulnerability while prone on the ground, taking punches without any timely action from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper echoed these sentiments, labeling the incident as "brutal" and pointing out that the fighter was unable to defend himself intelligently throughout the sequence. He suggested that the referee should have stopped the fight after one or two shots on the ground at most.
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the conversation, deeming it a "horrible stoppage." With such unified concern from various MMA stakeholders, the community is now anticipating potential responses or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities regarding the incident.
Fighter Reactions
Despite the outcry, Green—who was originally set to face Dan Hooker before an arm injury led to Hooker's withdrawal—did not direct any blame towards Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner for his performance, emphasizing sportsmanship in victory and defeat. "You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green remarked, 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."
Turner, on his part, acknowledged the delayed stoppage but defended his actions by stating that as a fighter, it is his responsibility to continue striking until the referee steps in. Turner, who accepted the co-headlining bout on nine days' notice, capitalized on the opportunity by snapping a two-fight losing streak and improving his UFC record to 7-4. Notably, all of Turner's victories in the UFC have been finishes, coming by way of knockout or submission.
Referee's Track Record and Responsibilities
Kerry Hatley, despite having extensive experience as a UFC referee, faced unprecedented scrutiny following the event. Referees are tasked with ensuring the safety of the fighters, which includes making split-second decisions to stop fights when a competitor can no longer defend themselves. This incident has brought to light the critical nature of a referee's role in protecting fighters from unnecessary harm and the consequences of any lapses in judgment.
The discussion around this incident is not just about one referee's mistake; it serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers in combat sports and the paramount importance of fighter safety. As the UFC continues to grow in popularity, the scrutiny over its regulatory practices and the performance of its officials is likely to intensify, especially in the wake of such high-profile controversies.
In conclusion, the MMA community awaits further developments and hopes for measures that will prevent similar occurrences in the future. As the sport evolves, so too must the vigilance and proficiency of those charged with overseeing its integrity and the well-being of its athletes.