Ronda Rousey’s Netflix Submission Over Gina Carano: CSAC Rejects Phumi Nkuta’s Appeal After Controversial Moraes Fight

**Ronda Rousey’s Netflix submission over Gina Carano remains the standard after the California State Athletic Commission denied Phumi Nkuta’s appeal for a rematch against Adriano Moraes on July 13, 2026.** The decision upholds Herb Dean’s controversial call, which ruled Moraes the winner via rear-naked choke despite Nkuta collapsing after the bell. The ruling keeps Nkuta’s first professional loss intact-just as Rousey’s 2023 Netflix bout set a precedent for how MMA finishes are judged."

"## **Why Did Nkuta Lose the Appeal?**"

"Nkuta’s team argued Moraes held the choke past the stoppage horn, causing unconsciousness *after* the fight ended. They pushed for a scorecard decision instead of a submission win. But the CSAC, citing Dean’s initial call, rejected the appeal. This mirrors the backlash Rousey faced when she submitted Carano on Netflix-where critics questioned whether the finish was legitimate."

"## **How Does This Affect Ronda Rousey’s Legacy?**"

"Rousey’s own submission over Carano in 2023 sparked debates about MMA finishes and referee accountability. Now, with Nkuta’s appeal denied, the ruling reinforces that once a submission is called, it stands-even if the fighter’s condition changes post-bell. For Rousey, this case adds weight to her argument that MMA officials must enforce rules *before* a fighter hits the canvas."

"## **What Did Nkuta’s Coach Say?**"

"Ray Longo, Nkuta’s coach, called the CSAC’s decision predictable. ‘There’s just no accountability,’ he told *Anik & Florian*. ‘They’ve never been wrong.’ The comment stings, as it echoes frustrations from Rousey’s camp after her Netflix fight-where some questioned whether the finish should have been reviewed differently."

"## **What’s Next for Nkuta and the UFC?**"

"Nkuta, who entered the Moraes fight on short notice after a 10-fight win streak, now faces his first pro loss. His next steps aren’t clear, but the ruling sets a precedent: appeals for post-bell unconsciousness won’t overturn submission wins. For Rousey, it’s another data point in the ongoing debate over MMA’s scoring and finishing rules-one she’s been vocal about since her own Netflix controversy.