California Commission Denies Nkuta Appeal Over Moraes Choke

The California State Athletic Commission denied Phumi Nkuta's appeal to reverse his technical submission loss to Adriano Moraes on Monday, ruling that insufficient evidence existed to change the outcome of their May 16 bout at MVP: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

Nkuta argued that Moraes held a choke for roughly 2.15 seconds after the final bell and that referee Herb Dean mishandled the sequence. The fighter, who traveled from Las Vegas to Sacramento for the hearing, claimed he was conscious when time expired but lost consciousness only after the horn because Moraes kept the hold locked in. He contended the fight should have gone to the scorecards, where he believed he had done enough to win.

CSAC Executive Foster Says Evidence Unclear on Timing

CSAC executive director Andy Foster acknowledged the choke extended beyond the bell but said officials could not determine precisely when Nkuta went unconscious. "I bet I've watched it 80 times now," Foster said, per MMA Junkie. "I'm still unsure when he went unconscious. When we're not sure about something, it needs to be clear and convincing evidence if this commission is going to flip a fight."

Commissioner Dr. AnnaMaria De Mars, a former judo champion and mother of Ronda Rousey, defended the referee's judgment under pressure. "Is holding something for two seconds, when he's under just as much pressure as you, a real egregious, deliberate foul?" she said, per Sherdog. "I just don't see it that way."

The commission offered no direct response to arguments from Nkuta and his attorney Lance Spaude beyond De Mars' brief comment. The technical submission victory for the former One Championship titleholder stands as the official result, leaving Nkuta with the lone loss of his professional career.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Controversial MMA finish gets a ruling from California officials