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Commission overturns Fabricio Werdum's KO loss to Renan Ferreira at 2021 PFL 3

Fabricio Werdum wanted justice for his controversial PFL debut, and now he’s got it.

The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (NJSACB) has overturned Werdum’s (24-9-1) knockout loss to Renan Ferreira at 2021 PFL 3 this past Thursday to a no contest after reviewing the tape and concluding that the referee missed what should’ve been a fight-ending tap out by Ferreira (6-2).

ESPN first reported the change in result on Monday, MMA Junkie subsequently verified after receiving a copy of the official result appeal.

Werdum’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, told MMA Junkie that he was hounding the commission to review since the night of the fight.

Abdelaziz is “really, really happy” with the decision that was made, and praised the NJSACB for the promptness in which it handled the situation, as well as referee Keith Peterson for admitting his error.

“All credit to Keith Peterson, when he saw the video, he mentioned to Nick Lembo, ‘He tapped,’ Abdelaziz said. “I believe this is one of the best commissions in the country, and not because he ruled my way. I’m just grateful for Nick Lembo and the New Jersey commission for making history, and now I’d like to see every other commission, if they make a wrong decision, know it’s OK to correct it. This is why Keith Peterson is, in my opinion, one of the best referees in the world. He does not have an ego.

“This is one of the most proud moments of my career. It’s not like I did a good job, I just wasn’t going to lay off it until justice was served.

According to the appeal letter, the fact PFL opted not to have instant replay utilized prior to the event, meant the bout result could not be reviewed – and potentially changed – immediately after the fight.

Because the result could not be reviewed on the night of the event, NJSACB commissioner Larry Hazard felt overturning the result to a Werdum victory wasn’t appropriate, and the no contest was “the best outcome at a later than broadcast time date.”

Werdum appears to be pleased with the no contest rather than the loss, and expressed his pleasure with the change in a statement of his own after the ruling was made (via Instagram):

First I want to thank the New Jersey Athletic Commission, Mr. Nick Lembo and Mr. Larry Hazzard for working fast to put together all the necessary information and evidences about my last fight. I want to thank the referee Mr. Keith Peterson for his cooperation and honesty. Thank you @pflmma for giving the Commission everything they needed to make the decision. I’m very thankful and grateful for my family, my team, my fans and everyone that has stood by my side, giving me support. The good always wins 🙏🏼

Werdum, a former UFC heavyweight champion, headlined 2021 PFL 3 at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlanta City, N.J., as part of the regular season kickoff event for the heavyweight division. He quickly took Ferreira down in the opening round of their matchup, then put his world-class ground game to use.

After transitioning into a triangle choke/armbar combination on bottom, Ferreira appeared to tap out. Referee Peterson missed it, though, according to Werdum’s retelling of his experience, he released part of the pressure in expectation the fight would be stopped.

It wasn’t, however, and moments later Ferreira escaped the choke, postured up and reigned down massive hammerfists on Werdum to put his lights out and end the fight in a knockout.

Werdum immediately protested the result, and vowed he felt a tap. Instant replay did reveal a tapping motion by Ferreira, but an argument can be made it’s not definitive. The commission apparently felt it was, though.

Following news of the change, PFL officials announced the revised heavyweight standings. Instead of six points for Ferreira for a first-round stoppage, and 0 points for Werdum, both men have been awarded 1 point for the no contest (via Twitter):

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