UFC President Dana White did not mince words when he addressed the media following a controversial fight night in Austin, Texas. The event was marred by what many have called a significant referee error during the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
Referee Kerry Hatley, who has a wealth of experience officiating UFC fights, came under fire for his delayed response after Turner knocked Green unconscious in the first round. An unsettling 12 seconds passed before Hatley intervened, during which Turner continued to land strikes on his defenseless opponent.
"It was one of the worst I've ever seen," White stated in a post-event interview. He went on to differentiate this incident from past referee mistakes by acknowledging Hatley's recognition of his error. "He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate," White added.
While Turner acknowledged the stoppage was late, he stood by his actions, emphasizing that a fighter's job is to continue until the referee steps in. This viewpoint aligns with the fighter's training to engage until officially halted to ensure clear outcomes without premature cessation of action.
Green's Graceful Defeat
The fight lasted just two minutes and 49 seconds, but despite the controversy surrounding its conclusion, Green displayed remarkable sportsmanship. He exited the Octagon without assistance and refrained from criticizing Hatley. Instead, Green took to Instagram to commend his opponent, saying, "You win some, you lose some, I guess."
His post further conveyed an ethos of respect and professionalism: "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. It means the world that you stepped up on short notice and you're having your success. So shout out to you."
Green had initially been set to face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner seized the opportunity. Accepting the co-headlining bout on just nine days' notice, Turner snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all his victories coming by knockout or submission.
Community Reaction and Concerns for Fighter Safety
The MMA community swiftly vocalized its concerns over the incident, igniting conversations about the imperative of fighter safety. Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping expressed his dismay live on ESPN, questioning Hatley's decision-making and pointing out the severe risks to fighters' lives and health. "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 remarked.
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to Twitter to denounce the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the severity of the situation with Green prone on the canvas and unable to defend himself while taking unanswered blows.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper chimed in, describing the scene as "brutal" and agreeing that the fight should have been stopped much sooner. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he asserted.
Dustin Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, also labeled the incident a "horrible stoppage." With such a strong consensus within the MMA community, attention now turns to the UFC and regulatory bodies to see if any further action or statements will be forthcoming regarding the oversight.
The incident has reignited debates on the responsibilities of referees in combat sports, highlighting the fine line they must walk between allowing fighters to compete fully and protecting them from unnecessary harm. As the fallout from Saturday's event continues, the UFC may be looking into how it can prevent similar situations in the future, ensuring the health and safety of its athletes remain paramount.