Herb Dean defends controversial finish in Adriano Moraes vs. Phumi Nkuta: ‘I’m certain the right decision was made’
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- Referee Herb Dean defended his decision to award Adriano Moraes a submission victory over Phumi Nkuta after a rear-naked choke rendered Nkuta unconscious just before the final bell in their preliminary bout.
- Dean used instant replay to confirm Nkuta lost consciousness a fraction of a second before the round ended, despite Moraes holding the choke briefly after the horn, which complicated the timing but did not warrant disqualification.
- Moraes' continued grip on the choke after the bell made the situation more complex, but Dean consulted with officials and concluded the correct call was made to stop the fight.
- Nkuta's team intends to appeal the decision, arguing Nkuta was not unconscious and the fight should have gone to the judges' scorecards, where Nkuta was leading and would have won.
- Dean supports Nkuta's right to appeal and awaits instructions from the athletic commission regarding any further involvement.