Read about the controversial referee stoppage at UFC Austin that left the MMA community divided. Jalin Turner’s knockout victory over Bobby Green was overshadowed by questions surrounding the referee’s handling of the stoppage.
| Event | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| UFC Austin | December 2, 2023 | Jalin Turner defeats Bobby Green via knockout |
Jalin Turner made a triumphant return to the win column at UFC Austin, knocking out Bobby Green in under three minutes. However, the controversial referee stoppage has sparked debates within the MMA community.
Jalin Turner made a triumphant return to the win column at UFC Austin on December 2, 2023. However, the spotlight was stolen by referee Kerry Hatley and his questionable handling of the stoppage.
Originally set to be a spectator, Turner received a short notice call to compete in the evening’s Lightweight co-main event. This opportunity arose after his previous opponent, Dan Hooker, re-broke his arm and had to withdraw from his fight against Green.
Entering the bout on a two-fight losing streak, Turner quickly put an end to his slump by knocking out Green with a series of punches in under three minutes. Despite the impressive victory, Hatley allowed Green to sustain unnecessary damage until he was rendered unconscious.
Numerous fighters, including UFC Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and his coach Tim Welch, expressed their dissatisfaction with the late stoppage. O’Malley commented on the TimboSugarShow, saying, "God damn, Bobby Green got knocked out. Fast. That was sick." Welch added, "I feel bad for that ref, even worse for Bobby though. He lost some years off his life. That was like 10 car wrecks in about five seconds."
Interestingly, O’Malley himself has faced criticism regarding stoppages. He won the Bantamweight title with a second-round technical knockout of Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in August 2023, prompting debates about whether the fight was stopped too early. In the case of Green vs. Turner, there were no doubts about the fight’s conclusion.
O’Malley further remarked, "That fight could have been stopped legit 20 seconds earlier. Then again, imagine it gets stopped and they say, ‘Oh, it was too early.’ That’s what could have happened. That’s just the game we play. It’s tricky."
In conclusion, the referee stoppage during the Green vs. Turner fight at UFC Austin has sparked controversy and divided opinions within the MMA community. While Turner’s knockout was undeniably brutal, questions remain about the referee’s decision-making and the potential risks fighters face in the Octagon.
