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.