Referee Jason Herzog came under a microscope again after a controversial interruption on UFC 319.
UFC Lightweights Chase Hooper and Alexander Hernandez helped things during the UFC 319 Prelims on Saturday in Chicago. Both light weights wanted to get a step closer to the top 15, especially Hooper, after three straight victories.
The UFC 319 Prelims started with a stunning upset by Joseph Morales, followed by dubious scorecards that Daniel Cormier Flabbergasted left. As the main map came closer, Hooper and Hernandez wanted to make a statement in their return to the Octagon.
While one of the fighters earned a highlight-reel finish, it was marred by another controversial interruption of referee Jason Herzog.
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC
UFC fans divorce Referee Jason Herzog after another questionable socket on UFC 319
Hernandez and Hooper started the fight with a well -affected back and forth war, where Hooper repeatedly tried to get the fight to the ground and Hernandez chooses to leave the fight. In the last minute, Hernandez flowed on the pressure and found his reach with a few annoying body shots on Hooper who visibly left him stunned.
With less than five seconds left in round 1, Hernandez Hooper dropped with a right hand, followed by a few land attacks just before the buzzer. But despite the fact that Hooper continued to work back to his feet, Herzog stepped in with two seconds to stop the fight and give Hernandez a TKO victory.
UFC fans did not stop Herzog when they responded to the UFC 319 break on social media.
Alexander Hernandez ends Chase Hooper in the first! #Ufc319pic.twitter.com/dhxycgvurv
– Championship Rounds (@champrds) August 17, 2025
“Someone else thinks it was an early break? It will be one of these nights that it looks,” wrote a fan on X.
“Prematurzog,” said another.
“One of the worst stop settlements in history. What a joke are your referees.”
“Absolutely terrible stopping.”
“Herzog is the king of the early interruption.”
“Not a fan of that break.”
“Bad bad stopping.”
“2 seconds left?”
“Jason Herzog is not good, the feeling that he is always jumping in to stop fighting at the wrong time.”
“Early interruption, especially at the end of a round. Appel pie s -.”
“Lame stoppage. Should have let it go in around 2.”
“Unacceptable interruption.”
“Early stop. 2 seconds over and Hooper covered his head. I call B ——-, this is terrible.”
Hernandez won his third straight fight after recent victories over Kurt Holobugh and Austin Hubbard. In the meantime, Hooper suffered his first defeat since a knockout loss for Steve Garcia in October 2022.
UFC 319 was not the first time this year that Herzog's timing came under fire from Fight fans.
2025 has been a difficult year for referee Jason Herzog
Herzog was criticized by fans, experts and fellow hunters for allowing a UFC record six official knockdowns by Steven Nguyen on opponent Mohammad Yahya at UFC Abu Dhabi. Herzog's performance came under fire from California State Athletic Commission Head of Andy Foster, who contacted the veteran referee to discuss the incident.
The late cessation led UFC Play-by-Play broadcaster Jon Anik to publish a fiery message on herzog on his podcast, causing him to hint the absence of promoting fighting safety in the fight. A top -ofc officer also confronted herzog after the interruption.
Follow here at Bloody Elbow for all the last of UFC 319.