UFC President Dana White did not mince words when addressing the performance of referee Kerry Hatley during Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The bout in question featured lightweights Jalin Turner and Bobby Green, where a significant delay in stopping the fight by Hatley has sparked widespread criticism.
Despite his extensive experience within the UFC, Hatley's hesitation to intervene after Turner rendered Green unconscious with a first-round knockout led to an additional 12 seconds of unnecessary strikes. This prompted White to describe the incident as "one of the worst I've ever seen" during a post-event interview.
White also pointed out that while there have been past instances of referees making questionable statements, such as allowing fighters to "be a warrior," Hatley was immediately aware of his mistake and regretted the oversight.
Turner, who emerged victorious from the encounter, defended his actions in the octagon, stating that a fighter's job is to continue until the referee steps in. The fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, and despite the controversy surrounding its conclusion, Green left the Octagon without assistance and displayed sportsmanship by not blaming Hatley for the late stoppage.
On social media, Green emphasized the importance of grace in victory and defeat, praising Turner for stepping up on short notice and congratulating him on his success.
The last-minute change in opponents came after Dan Hooker, originally scheduled to face Green, withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner seized the opportunity, accepting the co-headlining bout with just nine days' notice. His win over Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all victories coming via knockout or submission.
Community Reaction
The MMA community has not taken lightly to the late stoppage, with many expressing concerns about fighter safety. Michael Bisping, former UFC middleweight champion and commentator, voiced his disapproval live on ESPN. He questioned Hatley's decision-making, stressing the potential danger to fighters' lives and long-term health, and labeled the incident as "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to Twitter to condemn the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier highlighted the severity of the situation, with Green being prone on the ground and defenseless against Turner's strikes without timely intervention from Hatley.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper echoed these sentiments, describing the event as "brutal" and noting that Green was unable to defend himself intelligently. He suggested that the fight should have been stopped after one or two punches once Green was on the ground.
Similarly, Dustin Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, referred to the stoppage as "horrible." As the MMA community continues to react, there is anticipation for any potential actions or official statements from the UFC and the appropriate regulatory bodies regarding the matter.
The conversation following the event has brought to the forefront the critical role referees play in ensuring the safety of the fighters. While the nature of combat sports inherently carries risks, the swift and decisive action of a referee is often the last line of defense against unnecessary harm. The scrutiny faced by Hatley serves as a reminder of the weighty responsibilities shouldered by officials in the heat of competition.
As the UFC continues to grow in popularity and reach, the spotlight on officiating will only intensify. Ensuring that referees are adequately trained and prepared to make split-second decisions that could have lasting impacts on fighters' health and well-being remains paramount. The reaction to this incident may well serve as a catalyst for further discussions and improvements in referee protocols and fighter safety measures.
In the aftermath of the event, both Turner and Green have exemplified the professionalism and respect that martial arts espouse. While the debate over the stoppage rages on, their conduct stands as a testament to the spirit of competition and sportsmanship that lies at the heart of mixed martial arts.