California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster stated that while he agreed the choke on Phumi Nkuta was held too long, there was inconclusive evidence to determine definitively that Nkuta was conscious when the horn sounded.
The California State Athletic Commission has weighed in on a contested sequence from a recent bout involving Phumi Nkuta, with executive director Andy Foster acknowledging that a choke was held too long while stopping short of a definitive ruling on the fighter's state of consciousness when the horn sounded.
Foster stated that although the commission agreed the submission hold was extended beyond an acceptable duration, the available evidence was not conclusive enough to determine with certainty whether Nkuta was conscious at the moment the round ended. The distinction matters significantly in regulatory terms, as a fighter's conscious state at the horn can affect how officials assess the conduct of those applying the hold and those responsible for stopping the action.
Why it matters
- The CSAC's acknowledgment that the choke was held too long signals a finding of improper conduct, even without a definitive ruling on consciousness.
- The inconclusive determination on Nkuta's awareness leaves open questions about potential disciplinary outcomes for the fighter or corner responsible for the hold.
- The case puts a spotlight on referee timing and the enforcement of submission release rules when a round expires.
Foster's comments represent a measured but pointed response from one of the sport's most influential regulatory bodies. The CSAC stopping short of a firm conclusion on Nkuta's consciousness does not resolve the broader controversy, and the commission's next steps regarding any sanctions or formal findings remain to be seen as of the statement's release on July 13, 2026.
