“Punishing Judges and Officials for Making These Mistakes”- Daniel Cormier Asks for Harsh Measures Following UFC Austin Co-Main Event Blunder

UFC Austin saw yet another error by a referee. Jalin Turner knocked out Bobby Green after which the referee, Kerry Hatly, took much time to call for the stoppage resulting in backlash against him in the MMA community. As such, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier recently suggested that punishments should deal with such instances.

There have been numerous instances of referee errors. However, the recent one at UFC Austin was one of the most horrifying mistakes as Bobby Green continued to be beaten up even after he was unconscious. This has led Daniel Cormier to suggest harsh measures to handle such incidents.

Daniel Cormier wants referees to be punished for their mistakes

During a recent edition of the ‘DC & RC Show’, the former champion and UFC Hall of Famer mentioned that it was about time that the UFC made use of some harsh measures to deal with referee mistakes. Daniel Cormier believes that the officials should be punished for their faults in judgments.

“When these officials make these types of mistakes, I think there should be some sort of punishment,” said Daniel Cormier. He suggested that when referees make such mistakes, fighters could be legitimately injured. And to deal with these incidents, the referees should be suspended.

“Maybe a fight card sit out, fight card suspension, and then if it becomes something that’s reoccurring, now you start suspending these dudes for a month,” ‘DC’ further stated. He wants to see the UFC suspend these referees till the point that they cannot do it anymore. “[Suspending the referees] until eventually you have no opportunity to do it anymore.”

Not only that, but Daniel Cormier also included the judges, who make scoring errors. He believes that they should also be included in these situations so that the sport of MMA gets the legitimacy it deserves. Cormier added, “I think that’s the next step in legitimizing what mixed martial arts is – punishing judges and officials for making these mistakes.”

Meanwhile, he also reviewed the fight between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green and mentioned where things went wrong for ‘King’. Let’s take a look at that front.

‘DC’ points out the mistake Bobby Green made against Jalin Turner

Daniel Cormier mentioned how Bobby Green usually fights in a certain manner. He makes use of his shoulder movement in most of his fights. Cormier said, “Bobby is a guy that fights behind the shoulders, right? He moves his shoulders [and] he’s kinda got the Philly shell.” (23:06) However, that was not the correct approach from ‘King’s point of view, according to the Hall of Famer.

Jalin Turner is not your average lightweight fighter. He stands 6 foot 3 inches tall and has more range than most lightweight fighters. As such, Daniel Cormier stated that Bobby Green got knocked out due to his incorrect strategy. “You can’t do that against a guy who’s 6’3” [and a] 155 pounds and he caught himself on the end a punch that normally he would be in the range to get hit with,” Cormier added.

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There is no word on what the UFC is planning to do to address the referee blunder at UFC Austin, even though Dana White himself claimed to be disgusted at the incident. Meanwhile, Bobby Green later opened up about the fight, stating that winning and losing happens and he is looking forward to his next fight. We will have to wait and see what lies ahead in the future of the veteran lightweight.

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