PFL Referee Under Fire for Controversial Stoppage After Fighter Goes Unconscious
A recent Professional Fighters League (PFL) bout has ignited a firestorm of criticism directed at referee Giovanna Scano following a delayed stoppage that resulted in fighter Josh Kelly losing consciousness and hitting his head on the canvas.
the incident occurred in the final moments of the fight when opponent Josh Dupras secured a guillotine choke. while Kelly appeared to tap out, Scano, who was reportedly repositioning herself for a better view, failed to observe the submission. Dupras maintained the chokehold,leading to Kelly losing consciousness. The contest was eventually stopped 11 seconds later by Scano. Following the stoppage, Dupras released the hold, and Kelly’s head struck the canvas.
Fans and observers have voiced strong disapproval of Scano’s officiating,with many believing the situation was preventable. Social media commentary highlighted the referee’s apparent lack of attention to the immediate submission and the subsequent impact of Kelly’s head on the mat.
“Ref doesn’t pay any attention to the unconscious man, just lets the back of his head SLAM on the canvas. you can literally hear it,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another commented, “Dupras kicking him off didn’t help either, that whole situation was unnecessary and preventable.” A third user stated,”Never let her ref a fight again.”
The controversy centers on the critical role of a referee in ensuring fighter safety by promptly recognizing and responding to submissions and incapacitation. The delayed stoppage and the subsequent impact have raised questions about the officiating standards in professional mixed martial arts.