LAS VEGAS – Dana White knew the question was coming, but if he had any deep-seated thoughts on the matter, he wanted to keep them under wraps when asked Wednesday.
Referee Dan Miragliotta became the center of attention in Saturday’s fight varsity sports when he rose to the UFC Fight Night 292 main event between Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan. At the time of the standoff, Moicano (21-8-1 MMA, 13-8 UFC) was locked on Nolan’s back with a body triangle looking for a naked edged choke.
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So what are the white people’s thoughts on the matter?
“I knew (the question) was coming,” White told MMA Junkie and reporters at a media event promoting his bull Playmate. “I honestly don’t know what to think about that. We haven’t talked about it here at all. We haven’t even discussed it.”
Unified MMA rules allow referees to stop fights for long periods of time. But officials have rarely, if ever, historically stopped fights when one athlete is on his back or on the mount. Miragliotta is what they call it.
“I don’t think it’s a dominant position,” White said. “I think you do damage and try to win the fight? You do damage and try to win the fight? Because if that’s what you want to do, some of these guys are so good they can get your back and just ride for three turns. The rules are if you’re not doing damage or trying to advance your rank or win the fight, get up.”
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Nolan (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) turned the tables almost immediately after his appearance. Moicano went around for the rest of the second round and finished the fight with punches in Round 3. The way the fight was discussed revealed a debate about not only Miragliotta’s decision, but whether the referee as a whole can be improved.
When “Big” John McCarthy revealed that the most he had ever done in his career to work a UFC event was $2,000, he opened up a conversation about whether he could increase the pay to increase his duties.
But the album took a stance similar to that of the fighter when the issues arise.
“So people online are saying refs don’t get paid enough?” It is called white. “That’s the Nevada State Athletic Commission. That’s none of my business. That’s up to them. Everyone online is always worried about what else to do. Take care of yourself. Shut the f*ck up.”
This article first appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White reacts to Dan Miragliotta’s controversial UFC standup