Dana White slams match referee for delayed stoppage at UFC Fight Night

UFC President Dana White lashed out at match referee Kerry Hatley for a delayed stoppage between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green during the UFC Fight Night event in Austin, Texas, US.

Turner floored Green in the first round and the latter became unconscious in no time. It is a referee’s responsibility to end the fight once a fighter in the octagon becomes unconscious but that didn’t happen and the former continued punching his opponent for a good 12 seconds.

The fans including the commentators were left in shock as Hatley didn’t stop Turner’s assault. White didn’t approve of the match referee’s late delayed stoppage and called it “one of the worst” he has ever seen.

"He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel not feel good about it, so it's unfortunate," UFC president White said.

"It was definitely a bad stoppage, one of the worst I’ve ever seen."

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Turner agreed that the fight should've been stopped sooner but he defended himself saying it is his job to continue striking until the referee stops.

“Yes, I am [surprised the referee didn’t stop it sooner],” Turner said. “I was like come on. Like how much more. Bobby was a little wobbled. I’ve got to go until they pull me off, that’s part of my job.”

Michael Bisping, a former world champion, was commentating on the fight for ESPN and he, too, like everyone else, was shocked at what just happened and called it “disgusting”.

"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?

"Peoples' lives are at stake, their long-term health is at stake. That was utterly disgusting and disgraceful."

Daniel Cormier, another former champion, posted on social media saying: "One of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history. On your stomach taking punches and it still isn't enough. Crazy!"

UFC lightweight Chase Hooper called it "brutal," adding: "At no point was he able to intelligently defend himself in that. Ref should've stopped it after one or two shots on the ground max."

And Dustin Poirier said it was a "horrible stoppage".

Hatley’s error was surprising to many as he is one of the most experienced referees in the UFC.

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