UFC Fighters Criticize Referee Dan Miragliotta Following Controversial Stand-Up

The officiating during the UFC Vegas 123 main event has drawn significant backlash from the MMA community. During the second round, referee Dan Miragliotta ordered a stand-up while Renato Moicano held back control on the mat against Tom Nolan. The decision effectively ended Moicano’s dominant position and allowed Nolan to regain momentum.

Numerous fighters took to social media to condemn the call, with many questioning the logic behind separating the athletes while one was actively working for a finish. UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney and former champion Henry Cejudo were among those publicly criticizing the intervention. The decision remains a point of heated debate, as it immediately preceded a shift in the fight's trajectory.