Evangelista vs Aina Ruled A No Decision

by Robert Sargent

Months after the controversial bout took place at Strikeforce Challengers 1 in May, the California State Athletic Commission has overturned the result of the main event between Billy Evangelista and "Iron" Mike Aina and ruled it a No Decision.

Aina had originally been awarded a victory by disqualification for an illegal knee to the face on the ground, but replays showed that the knee hit Aina's shoulder.

Though the athletic commission did not have video evidence to base their decision upon, still photos and testimony from referee Herb Dean - who had overseen the fight - and CSAC Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas all suggested that the bout's outcome be overturned.

Evangelista was also in attendance and provided his testimony, in which he requested that he be awarded a victory by TKO or, at the very least, have the loss removed from his record and changed to a No Contest.

Acting CSAC Executive Director David Thornton then recommended that the commission change the result from a disqualification to a No Decision. After deliberations, Commissioner Mario Rodriguez officially put forth the motion to adopt a No Decision ruling, which was immediately seconded and passed.

Evangelista is now 9-0-0, 1 ND, while Aina is 11-6-1, 1 ND.