In a night meant to showcase the skills and tenacity of mixed martial artists, UFC Fight Night in Austin was overshadowed by controversy due to what many have deemed a significant officiating error. UFC president Dana White led a chorus of criticism against veteran referee Kerry Hatley for what he described as one of the most egregious late stoppages he's ever witnessed.
The incident occurred during the first round of a bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green. After Turner landed a blow that rendered Green unconscious, the referee failed to immediately halt the fight, allowing Turner to continue delivering strikes for an additional 12 seconds before intervention. This lapse has raised serious concerns about fighter safety protocols within the sport.
White's Condemnation
Speaking in a post-event interview, White did not mince words, stating, "It's one of the worst I've ever seen." He contrasted this situation with past instances where referees have attempted to justify their decisions with unsatisfactory explanations. White acknowledged Hatley's remorse over the mistake, but maintained that the incident remained deeply unfortunate.
Fighter Reactions
Turner, while recognizing the delayed stoppage, defended his actions in the Octagon, citing the fighter's duty to engage until the referee steps in. Despite the contentious end to the fight, Green displayed sportsmanship, refraining from blaming Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner on his victory and handling of the short-notice fight.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected. He continued with a message of resilience and grace in defeat, "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."
Green, originally set to face Dan Hooker, found himself facing Turner instead after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner's last-minute agreement to step in paid off, as he snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all victories coming by knockout or submission.
Community Outcry
The MMA community has not been silent on the matter. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping expressed his disapproval, pointing out the unnecessary risk to fighters' lives and health from such oversights. "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.
Daniel Cormier, former two-weight UFC champion, labeled the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history" in a social media post. Cormier emphasized the severity of the situation with the fighter prone on the ground, defenseless against the incoming strikes.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper called the incident "brutal," criticizing the referee's delay in recognizing that the fighter was unable to intelligently defend himself. Dustin Poirier, former interim lightweight champion, joined in labeling the stoppage as "horrible."
The widespread condemnation from such high-profile figures within the MMA world reflects a collective concern for the welfare of fighters and the integrity of the sport. The call for accountability and perhaps a review of refereeing protocols is clear, with the community eagerly awaiting a response from the UFC and the relevant regulatory bodies regarding this incident.
As the conversation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fine line referees walk between allowing fighters to compete fully and protecting them from unnecessary harm. It underscores the importance of decisive and timely judgment calls in a sport where the consequences of a single moment can be far-reaching, both for the athletes involved and for the reputation of mixed martial arts as a whole.