UFC President Dana White did not mince words in his post-event interview following a controversial referee decision at Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas. The fight in question saw Jalin Turner triumph over Bobby Green after a knockout that led to an unsettling delay before the bout was officially stopped by referee Kerry Hatley.
Despite Hatley's significant experience in the octagon, he hesitated to step in after Turner landed a decisive blow that left Green unconscious in the first round. For an agonizing 12 seconds, Turner continued to deliver strikes to his defenseless opponent before Hatley intervened—a delay that White described as "one of the worst I've ever seen."
White's critique extended to past refereeing errors but noted the gravity of this particular incident, "We've had some refs say some dumb stuff in the past, like, 'I allowed her to be a warrior tonight,' and goofy things like that. He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate."
Fighter's Perspective
Turner, while acknowledging the late stoppage, defended his actions in the ring, stating that a fighter's job is to continue the offensive until the referee steps in to halt the contest. His victory, which came at two minutes and 49 seconds into the first round, marked a pivotal moment, ending a two-fight losing streak and improving his UFC record to 7-4. All of Turner's wins in the organization have been finishes—either knockouts or submissions.
Green, who exited the Octagon on his own despite the brutal finish, opted not to place blame on Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner's performance and show sportsmanship. "You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green stated. "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."
The matchup with Turner came about after Green's original opponent, Dan Hooker, withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner seized the opportunity, stepping in on nine days' notice for the co-headlining fight, and ultimately capitalizing on the short-notice chance.
Community Outcry
The MMA community has not been silent regarding the late stoppage, with many expressing concerns over fighter safety—a paramount aspect of the sport often emphasized by its governing bodies and athletic commissions.
During the live ESPN broadcast, former middleweight champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval, questioning Hatley's delayed action and pointing out the serious risks involved. "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. "People's lives are at stake. Their long-term health is at stake. That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier echoed these sentiments on social media, branding the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the severity of the situation, with a fighter prone on the ground, absorbing punches without the timely intervention of the official.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also chimed in, describing the sequence as "brutal" and criticizing the lack of protection for a fighter unable to defend himself intelligently. "Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max," he opined.
Even former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier joined the chorus of critics, calling it a "horrible stoppage." With such widespread criticism from notable figures within the sport, the MMA community is now looking to the UFC and other relevant authorities for their response to this incident and potential measures to prevent similar situations in the future.
The incident has once again brought to light the importance of vigilant officiating in mixed martial arts. It serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities referees hold in ensuring the safety of the athletes who compete under their supervision, and it may well lead to discussions on how to better protect fighters in such fast-paced and high-stakes environments.