Outraged MMA spectators criticize referee following controversy-filled knockout, leaving Conor McGregor's teammate unconscious
In the world of MMA, referees play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of fighters and making split-second decisions. However, at the PFL World Tournament 8, referee Giovanna Scano found herself at the centre of a controversy due to a missed tapout during the featherweight clash between Frederik Dupras and Nathan Kelly.
The incident occurred in the second round when Dupras applied a standing guillotine choke on Kelly. Despite Kelly tapping out, Scano failed to notice and repositioned herself to get a better view of the fighters. This move inadvertently resulted in a delay in stopping the fight, causing Kelly to remain unconscious for a brief moment before the intervention.
The missed tapout and delayed stoppage drew significant criticism from fans and commentators, who questioned the safety and judgment in the stoppage. One supporter even labelled it as the worst stoppage of the year, while another criticised Scano for not paying attention to Kelly, who was unconscious, and allowing his head to slam on the canvas.
The controversy surrounding Scano's actions during the Dupras vs. Kelly fight has raised concerns about the challenges referees face in fast-paced MMA fights and the importance of clear visibility and timing for fighter safety.
Meanwhile, the featherweight clash saw Dupras improve his record to 9-2 with the victory, while Kelly, who trains with Conor McGregor's head coach John Kavanagh at SBG Ireland, lost the fight, falling to a record of 11-4. The loss marked Kelly's third straight defeat inside the cage, following a 10-fight winning streak.
In a surprising turn of events, Thad Jean outpointed Logan Storley to win the welterweight tournament, while Movlid Khaybulaev, a protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov, was crowned the 2025 PFL featherweight tournament winner with a fifth-round submission win over Jesus Pinedo.
The PFL World Tournament 8 took place at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and featured multiple featherweight matches alongside other weight classes. However, at the time of writing, there is limited information on official responses or corrective actions by the PFL following the event.
[1] Controversy over referee's actions during Dupras vs. Kelly fight at PFL World Tournament 8. (2025). Retrieved from [URL] [2] PFL World Tournament 8 results and recap. (2025). Retrieved from [URL]
- The missed tapout by Dupras on Kelly during the PFL World Tournament 8, which led to a delayed stoppage, triggered heated debates about the importance of referee's clear visibility and timing in mixed-martial-arts (MMA) fights, a concern further aggravated by the controversial actions of referee Giovanna Scano.
- While the featherweight clash between Dupras and Kelly sparked controversy, the PFL World Tournament 8 also showcased exciting matches in other weight classes, such as Thad Jean's outpointing of Logan Storley in the welterweight tournament and Movlid Khaybulaev's win over Jesus Pinedo, earning him the 2025 PFL featherweight tournament title. The tournament, held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, left many fans discussing the intricacies of MMA sports, UFC, and boxing, amidst ongoing debates about the refereeing aspects in these high-energy combat sports.
