Iridium Appeals 1-Second Nkuta Submission Loss as Replay Review Fuels Horn-Timing Dispute
Updated
Updated · MMA Junkie · May 18
Iridium Appeals 1-Second Nkuta Submission Loss as Replay Review Fuels Horn-Timing Dispute
4 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · May 18
Iridium Sports Agency filed a formal appeal after Phumi Nkuta was ruled unconscious with 1 second left in his 130-pound catchweight bout against Adriano Moraes on Saturday.
California replay showed Moraes appearing to keep the rear-naked choke on for a few seconds after the final horn, but referee Herb Dean said Nkuta was already out before it sounded.
That timing is decisive: a post-horn stoppage would have sent the fight to the judges, and Nkuta would have won a decision even if Moraes took the final round on all three cards.
Dean said Monday on "The Ariel Helwani Show" that he stands by the call but supports Nkuta's right to appeal.
The case could go before the California State Athletic Commission at a future public meeting, though the commission meets only quarterly and no date has been set.
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