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Referee Controversy: Nkuta's Appeal Denied After Loss
14 Jul
Summary
- Phumi Nkuta's appeal regarding his loss to Adriano Moraes was denied.
- The controversial finish occurred in the final seconds of the fight.
- The commission could not definitively determine when Nkuta lost consciousness.
On July 13, 2026, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) officially denied the appeal filed by Phumi Nkuta's team concerning his loss to Adriano Moraes. The contentious bout, which took place on May 16, 2026, concluded controversially in the final seconds with Moraes securing a rear-naked choke. Nkuta's camp argued that the choke was applied after the fight's concluding horn and that Moraes continued to hold it even as the referee intervened.
CSAC executive director Andy Foster stated that extensive replay reviews could not definitively establish the exact moment Nkuta lost consciousness. Consequently, without clear and convincing evidence to reverse the initial call, the commission upheld the technical submission victory for Moraes. Foster acknowledged that Nkuta likely would have won had the choke not been applied, but the decisive point of unconsciousness remained unclear to the commissioners.
The decision ends Nkuta's appeal and preserves Moraes's win, though it also keeps the spotlight on referee Herb Dean, who has faced criticism for other recent officiating decisions. Nkuta's loss concluded an impressive 11-fight winning streak for the flyweight prospect.
