Dana White Criticizes Referee Over Delayed Stoppage at UFC Fight Night

• Dana White slams ref Hatley for late stoppage in Turner vs. Green.
• 12-second delay sparks widespread condemnation.
• Raises concerns about fighter safety and ref responsibility.

In a shocking turn of events at the UFC Fight Night event in Austin, Texas, UFC President Dana White criticized match referee Kerry Hatley for a delayed stoppage in the fight between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.

Turner had floored Green in the first round, rendering him unconscious, but Hatley failed to intervene promptly, allowing Turner to continue striking his defenseless opponent for a staggering 12 seconds.

White expressed his dismay at the controversial stoppage, labeling it “one of the worst” he has ever witnessed. Turner, while acknowledging that the fight should have been stopped sooner, defended his actions by stating that it is his responsibility to continue striking until the referee intervenes.

During the broadcast, former world champion Michael Bisping, who was commentating for ESPN, joined the chorus of disapproval, calling the incident “disgusting” and questioning why Hatley hesitated in stopping the fight. “Peoples’ lives are at stake, their long-term health is at stake. That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful,” remarked Bisping.

Even on social media, the MMA community voiced their concern over the late stoppage. Former champion Daniel Cormier took to Twitter to denounce it as “one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history,” emphasizing the danger posed to the fighters’ well-being.

UFC lightweight Chase Hooper criticized the referee’s decision, stating that Green was unable to intelligently defend himself, and the fight should have been stopped much earlier. Dustin Poirier also weighed in, describing the stoppage as “horrible.”

The surprising aspect of the incident was Hatley’s involvement, given his reputation as one of the most experienced referees in the UFC. White acknowledged that Hatley recognized his mistake and did not feel good about the late stoppage, emphasizing the unfortunate nature of the situation.

The controversy surrounding this fight raises questions about the importance of ensuring fighter safety and the role of referees in preventing unnecessary damage. The MMA community awaits any potential actions or statements from the UFC and the relevant authorities regarding this incident.

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