Matt Brown says Dan Miragliotta should be reprimanded over Renato Moicano standup

Renato Moicano had back control with a body triangle when the referee stood the fight up, and went on to lose to Tom Nolan in the third round. Brown says no warning was given.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Tue 3 Nov, 15:12 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown has said referee Dan Miragliotta should lose money and his chance to officiate big fights after standing up Renato Moicano during his defeat by Tom Nolan at UFC Vegas 123.

Moicano had Nolan's back with a body triangle and was still working for a finish when Miragliotta returned both men to their feet. Nolan finished Moicano in the third round, although how much the standup affected the result is unknown. Standups are at a referee's discretion.

Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, Brown said: “Dan Miragliotta f*cked up big time.” He argued that the call affected Moicano's pay for this fight and the next, as well as Moicano's ranking, sponsorship and hopes of a title run or bigger fight. Brown accepted that referees have difficult, thankless jobs, but said Miragliotta should face at least the same consequences as the fighter.

Brown also criticised the absence of a warning, saying fighters need to know when they are at risk of being stood up. Moicano had worked hard to reach the position, he said, adding: “Why should he get stood up from there?” The former fighter said the decision was another example of inconsistent officiating, which he said also extends to point deductions for fouls.

He dislikes standups in general and said referees should stay out of fights. Brown also wondered aloud whether commissions, referees and judges were under pressure from the UFC, which he believes wants more exciting fights, with more action on the feet and fewer wrestlers signed. He said: “We have to question if there’s some influence there to the commissions, but the commissions should be completely neutral.”

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Renato Moicano Tom Nolan