In a recent UFC Fight Night event held in Austin, Texas, an incident involving referee Kerry Hatley has drawn significant attention and criticism from the mixed martial arts (MMA) community. The controversy stems from what many are calling a delayed stoppage during the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
Turner secured a knockout against Green in the first round, but it was the subsequent 12 seconds—during which Turner continued to strike an unconscious Green before Hatley intervened—that sparked outcry. UFC president Dana White did not mince words in his post-event interview, describing the stoppage as "one of the worst I've ever seen."
White's frustration was compounded by previous instances where referees have made questionable decisions. He recalled past comments from officials who justified their actions by suggesting they were allowing fighters to "be warriors." However, White acknowledged that Hatley recognized his mistake and felt remorse for the late intervention.
Turner, on his part, defended his actions in the octagon, stating that a fighter's job is to continue until the referee steps in. Despite the controversy, the fight officially lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, and Green was able to exit the Octagon without assistance.
Green, showing sportsmanship, refrained from criticizing Hatley. Instead, he took to Instagram to commend Turner, saying, "You win some, you lose some, I guess," and added, "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."
Opportunity Knocks for Turner
Turner stepped into the co-headlining bout on short notice after Green's original opponent, Dan Hooker, withdrew due to an arm injury. Turner's last-minute decision to join the fight paid off, snapping a two-fight losing streak and improving his UFC record to 7-4. Impressively, all of Turner's victories in the UFC have been finishes, either by knockout or submission.
Community Backlash
The MMA community has not taken the incident lightly, with several prominent figures voicing their concerns over the implications of such delayed stoppages. During the live broadcast on ESPN, former champion Michael Bisping expressed his disapproval, questioning Hatley's judgment and emphasizing the risks to fighters' lives and long-term 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, pointing out the severity of the situation.
Daniel Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, took to social media to brand the stoppage as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." Cormier underscored the danger of the moment, highlighting how Green was prone on the ground and taking punches without prompt intervention from the referee.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also chimed in, labeling the incident as "brutal" and noting that Green was unable to defend himself intelligently during the barrage. Similarly, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier referred to the stoppage as "horrible."
As the MMA community continues to react, there is an anticipation of potential actions or statements from the UFC and relevant regulatory authorities regarding the incident. Fighter safety remains a paramount concern, and the scrutiny following this event may lead to discussions about improving referee training and protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This incident has once again brought to light the fine line referees walk between allowing a fight to progress naturally and stepping in to ensure the safety of the athletes. While the role of a referee is undoubtedly challenging, the MMA community agrees that protecting fighters from unnecessary harm should always be the top priority. As the sport continues to evolve, it is imperative that all involved—from officials to fighters to promoters—work together to uphold the highest standards of safety and integrity in the sport.