In one of the most remarkable finishes seen in recent MMA memory, veteran flyweight Adriano Moraes pulled off a last-second RNC to defeat unbeaten prospect Phumi Nkuta at the final bell, with officials confirming the submission after a dramatic review by the California State Athletic Commission.
The official result read: Adriano Moraes defeated Phumi Nkuta via third-round technical submission, RNC, at 4:59 of round three. This means that the choke landed in the final second of the contest.
One of the wildest ending sequences to a fight I’ve ever seen.
Was Nkuta out before the bell?
Herb Dean rules it a technical submission for Moraes at 4:59 of Round 3. pic.twitter.com/AU5S5phXGR
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 17, 2026
Moraes, a longtime force in flyweight MMA who built his foundation through years of capoeira, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu training from a young age, entered the bout looking to bounce back after a loss to Yuya Wakamatsu in March 2025.
Nkuta, stepping in on short notice as a replacement for Muhammad Mokaev, arrived with an unblemished 11-0 record and a reputation as one of the sharpest grapplers on the American regional circuit.
For large stretches of the three-round contest, it looked like Nkuta might be the one walking away with a famous victory. In the first round, he rocked Moraes with powerful left hands, put him on the canvas, and came dangerously close to finishing with an arm-triangle attempt before time ran out.
In the second round, he showcased the escape artistry that has become something of a calling card, slipping out of a dangerous back-take by Moraes and reversing position entirely.
The third round was a war of attrition. Both men emptied their tanks in a series of sharp exchanges, with Nkuta landing heavy right hands and combinations while Moraes pressed forward with kicks and level changes. With roughly 30 seconds left on the clock, the two traded freely in the center of the cage, neither willing to yield ground.
Then, in the closing seconds, Moraes secured a level change and immediately seized Nkuta’s back. With the crowd on its feet and the clock winding to zero, he locked in a RNC. The horn sounded. Referee stepped in and separated the two.
And then Nkuta did not get up.
What followed was a tense period of uncertainty. The California State Athletic Commission reviewed the available footage to determine whether Nkuta had gone unconscious before or after the final bell.
Their verdict was clear: Nkuta had been rendered unconscious while the choke was still legally applied, making the submission official.
The ruling transformed what appeared to be a narrow loss for Moraes into one of the most dramatic comeback victories the sport has seen. For Nkuta, who had looked composed and competitive throughout, the defeat will sting.
