A major refereeing error at PFL World Tournament 8 has ignited widespread outrage in the MMA community – after a fighter was rendered unconscious…
Several seconds after clearly tapping out to a submission.
The incident occurred Friday night in Atlantic City, where Canada’s Frederik Dupras locked in a Guillotine Choke on Ireland’s Nathan Kelly during the second round.
As broadcast commentators quickly noted, Kelly signaled his submission several times – but the referee, Giovanna Scano, failed to see it:
There’s the tap, there’s the tap, there’s the tap!
Scano had repositioned herself to the opposite side of the fighters in an attempt to improve her view, but the move backfired.
From her new angle, Kelly’s tap was completely missed.
With no intervention from the official, Dupras continued to apply the choke, unaware that his opponent had already conceded.
And as the seconds dragged on, the commentary team’s concern escalated:
This fight is over, Nathan Kelly is unconscious.
By the time Scano finally stepped in, it was too late. Kelly had gone limp.
In a further disturbing moment, Dupras – still believing the fight was ongoing – shoved Kelly off him, causing the unconscious fighter’s head to slam into the canvas.
DON’T BE SILLY, JUMP THE GILLY!!!
Fred Dupras seals it with the guillotine.
[ #PFLWorldTournament | LIVE NOW ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/dptcLxPfL7— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2025
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