​Terrance McKinney has publicly challenged the referee’s decision to stop his UFC 329 bout with King Green just seconds before the end of the first round, arguing that the fight should have continued. The lightweight clash opened the main card, and referee Kerry Hatley intervened with McKinney turtling up against the fence after Green landed a body shot, while McKinney still kept his hands up and eyes on his opponent. McKinney, known by fans as “T-Wrecks,” believes the stoppage was premature, though he also acknowledged the positive aspects of his performance in the single-round affair.
McKinney came out aggressive, pressing forward with his characteristic early pressure and not giving Green much room to breathe. He was able to pressure the veteran striker and even threaten with a submission, nearly finishing Green before Green found a way to escape and then turn the momentum in his favor, sealing the bout with a finish mere moments later. In the aftermath, McKinney reflected on the performance and the referee’s decision, saying on X (formerly Twitter) that the referee should have allowed the action to continue into the next round. “Got me in liver, but the ref should have let it go to next round, only two seconds left,” he wrote. “I’m proud of the growth I had, wasn’t just tweaking, picked my shots. We’ll be back, congrats to [Green].”
When asked why he opted for a rear-naked choke instead of maintaining full mount, McKinney conceded that it was a tactical misstep. “I would’ve stayed on top,” he responded, acknowledging the mistake and signaling how he would adjust in future encounters.
Despite the contentious ending, there appears to be no lasting sourness between the two fighters. McKinney and Green shared moments on social media after the fight, signaling that they can move forward cordially in the immediate aftermath, even as tensions had been high leading into the bout. The loss pushed McKinney’s UFC record to 8-6, marking another chapter in a career defined by high-risk, high-adrenaline performances and a relatively small sample of fights that have gone past the opening round. Across his 27 pro bouts, only four have exceeded a single frame, underscoring how quickly the action often unfolds for the former title hopeful.
Green, on the other hand, extended his winning streak to four consecutive fights, building momentum and continuing to position himself as a dangerous opponent in the UFC lightweight division. While the official result stands as a win for Green, the manner of the stoppage has sparked discussion among fighters, analysts, and fans about where the line should be drawn between protecting a fighter from unnecessary harm and allowing a potentially decisive contest to unfold to its natural conclusion.
As McKinney continues his career, he has already indicated that he will take the lessons from this bout and apply them to his next fight camp. The takeaway for fans is not only the result but the highlighted need for precise decision-making in high-stakes moments, especially when a fight appears poised to tip decisively in the final seconds of a round. The broader narrative is one of resilience and growth for McKinney, who remains a compelling figure in the UFC lightweight division as he prepares to return to competition. With Green riding a four-fight win streak, the matchup also reinforces Green’s ascent and the ways in which the dynamic in the 155-pound division can shift rapidly based on a single bout’s outcome.