Overview
- - The California State Athletic Commission, following Saturday’s chaotic finish, used video replay to rule Phumi Nkuta was out before the bell and recorded a technical submission for Adriano Moraes at 4:59 of round three, which is a stoppage when a fighter is unconscious.
- - Iridium Sports Agency filed a formal appeal with the commission arguing the bout should have gone to the judges’ scorecards, and the result now awaits a commission review.
- - Replays showed Moraes kept a rear‑naked choke on for a few seconds after the horn, and many fans on social media called the decision a “horrible call” and accused him of “cheating.”
- - Nkuta accepted the fight on short notice after Muhammad Mokaev’s visa issue and now carries the first loss of his professional career as the dispute plays out.
- - The controversy unfolded on Jake Paul’s MVP MMA debut card streamed on Netflix, a high‑profile stage that could amplify scrutiny of officiating and replay use, even as such appeals rarely succeed in California.