Dan Miragliotta

Miragliotta started training Shitō-ryū karate at 14 years of age to recover from a surfing accident that caused two Vertebrae in his back to break. He would eventually begin competing in the sport and received his black belt when he was 18 years old. Miragliotta would then go on to train and compete in both Kenpo karate (in which he would eventually earn a 5th Dan black belt) and Doce Pares Eskrima, a Filipino stick fighting martial art. Miragliotta would eventually start training Muay Thai and shootfighting, becoming an instructor in both, under Vut Kamnark and Bart Vale (3rd level), respectively. He is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt under Renzo Gracie.

Miragliotta did stunts for the 2014 film Noah and acted as an extra in the 2015 film Tracers (Russian Gangster #2). He also acted as an extra in the TV series Daredevil (Big Biker) and Person of Interest (Corrupt Cop with Shotgun), both roles were uncredited. Miragliotta is set to star as himself in the upcoming film Memoirs from the Streets of New York.

Miragliotta began his career as an MMA referee in US Vale Tudo, a promotion based in Virginia, and would then go on to run his own MMA events in New Jersey, occupying the roles of promoter, organizer and referee (even becoming a boxing referee). Although members of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (SACB) attended events, they did not regulate them at the time.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-29 |title=Referee Dan Miragliotta's underground events led to UFC on Versus 4's big call |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2011/06/referee-dan-miragliottas-underground-events-led-to-ufc-on-versus-4s-big-call |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last=Genia |first=Jim |title=Raw combat: the underground world of mixed martial arts |date=2011 |publisher=Citadel ; Turnaround [distributor] |isbn=978-0-8065-3504-3 |location=New York : London}} His work would lead to other promotions asking Miragliotta to referee at their own events. By the time the SACB began regulating professional MMA in the state, it is reported Miragliotta had already refereed more than 400 fights.{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Adam |title=A Timeline of UFC Rules: From No-Holds-Barred to Highly Regulated |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1614213-a-timeline-of-ufc-rules-from-no-holds-barred-to-highly-regulated |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}

Miragliotta would have his first appearance in the promotion on UFC 78: Validation, where he would referee five fights, including the main event: Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 78 - Validation |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-78-Validation-5708 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} Since then, he has been "the third man" in many fights on several important events held by the promotion, among these:

• UFC 87:
• Assignments:
• Tamdan McCrory vs. Luke Cummo
• Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta
• Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring
• Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch (main event){{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 87 - Seek and Destroy |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-87-Seek-and-Destroy-6779 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}
• UFC 112:
• Assignments:
• DeMarques Johnson vs. Brad Blackburn
• Phil Davis vs. Alexander Gustafsson
• Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia (main event){{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 112 - Invincible |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-112-Invincible-12184 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}
• UFC 172:
• Assignments:
• Danny Castillo vs. Charlie Brenneman
• Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 172 - Jones vs. Teixeira |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-172-Jones-vs-Teixeira-34401 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}
• UFC 198:
• Assignments:
• Francisco Trinaldo vs. Yancy Medeiros
• Stipe Miocic vs.Fabricio Werdum{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 198 - Werdum vs. Miocic |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-198-Werdum-vs-Miocic-50217 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}
• UFC 223:
• Assignments:
• Devin Clark vs. Mike Rodriguez
• Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Joe Lauzon
• Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Al Iaquinta (main event){{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 223 - Khabib vs. Iaquinta |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-223-Khabib-vs-Iaquinta-65291 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}

As of December 2024, Miragliotta's latest appearance in the promotion was UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley, where he officiated three fights, including the main event.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC on ESPN 63 - Covington vs. Buckley |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-on-ESPN-63-Covington-vs-Buckley-104113 |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}

Although best known for his role in the beginnings of MMA and appearances in the UFC, throughout his career, Miragliotta has continued to work for many other MMA promotions such as: Bellator MMA, Professional Fighters League, Cage Warriors, Cage Fury Fighting Championships and Art of War, among others.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Dan |url=https://www.sherdog.com/referee/Dan-Miragliotta-21 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} He has also participated in many importants events in these promotions, most notably Bellator 180 and Bellator 214.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Bellator 180 - Sonnen vs. Silva |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/Bellator-180-Sonnen-vs-Silva-58819 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Bellator 214 - Fedor vs. Bader |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/Bellator-214-Fedor-vs-Bader-71585 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}

While well-liked by most athletes, Miragliotta has been involved in several controversies throughout his time as a referee and judge. One of the most well-known was his stoppage of the main event of EliteXC: Primetime, Kevin Ferguson (better known as Kimbo Slice){{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Kevin |url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Kevin-Ferguson-22388 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} vs. James Thompson.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=EliteXC - Primetime |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/EliteXC-Primetime-6981 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} In the first round, Thompson was able to take Ferguson several times and control the pace of the fight. This happened again in the second round where, towards the end, Ferguson would be smothered and would take several shots to the head without referee intervention. In the third round, Ferguson punched Thompson hard, hitting him the ear and causing the cyst that was in it to burst open, which lead to a great amount of blood pouring out. Thompson would go on to take four more headshots before Miragliotta stopped the fight, 38 seconds into the round,{{Cite web |last=Iannotti |first=James |date=2008-05-27 |title=CBS Elite XC results for 'Saturday Night Fights' on May 31 |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2008/05/27/cbs-elite-xc-results-for-saturday-night-fights-on-may-31/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}} although Thompson was still standing up and moving.{{Cite web |title=MMA Review – Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson {{!}} A.J. Wood |url=https://ajwood.com/2008/06/02/mma-review-kimbo-slice-vs-james-thompson/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=ajwood.com}} The stoppage was heavily criticised, arguing an unprepared{{Cite web |last=Mohapatra |first=Pramit |date=1 June 2008 |title=EliteXC "Primetime" aftermath: Kimbo Slice needs work, Brett Rogers wants a piece |url=http://www.fightticker.com/story_0601081700_elitexc_primetime_aftermath |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622143005/http://www.fightticker.com/story_0601081700_elitexc_primetime_aftermath |archive-date=22 June 2008 |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=Fight Ticker}} Ferguson was set up with an easy match-up that the promotion hoped he would perform well in. It was even argued that the match was "rigged" as the blood should not have been cause for a stoppage, since it was not in Thompson's eyes.{{Cite web |last=Daconta |first=C. J. |title=Elite XC Fix: Kimbo Slice Wins a Rigged Match |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/26458-elite-xc-fix-kimbo-slice-wins-a-rigged-match |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} Miragliotta would go on to defend his stoppage by claiming that his stoppage was not due to the blood, although it was "one of the most disgusting things I've seen in a fight".{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=2008-06-02 |title=Ref Dan Miragliotta Defends Stoppage of Kimbo Slice-James Thompson Fight |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2008/06/02/ref-dan-miragliotta-defends-stoppage-of-kimbo-slice-james-thomps |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} Instead, his justification for stopping the fight was that, by the look of Thompson's eyes, he was "out of it".

In 2011, Miragliotta admitted the only call he ever made he was regretful of was the highly criticized stoppage of the fight between Brandon Vera and Fabricio Werdum, on UFC 85. Late into the first round, Werdum mounted Vera and began punching him, Miragliotta stopped the fight with twenty seconds left in the round.{{Cite web |last=Wizzle |first=D. |title=UFC 85: Bedlam Review and Recap |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/28081-ufc-85-bedlam-review-and-recap |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} He would later go on to declare that while Vera was trying to reassure him that he was okay, he misinterpreted it as a verbal submission. This decision would be heavily criticized by both fans and the media, with several attendees at the event and commentator Joe Rogan protesting the stoppage.{{Cite web |last=oleg |date=2008-06-09 |title=UFC 85 Review |url=https://www.fightmatrix.com/2008/06/08/ufc-85-review/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Fight Matrix |language=en-US}}

A third instance of controversy occurred at Bellator 227 (also known as Bellator Dublin). There, Miragliotta would referee the bout between Michael "Venom" Page (also known as MVP) and Richard Kiley.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Bellator 227 - Gallagher vs. Salazar |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/Bellator-227-Gallagher-vs-Salazar-78237 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} Page would win the fight via knockout from a flying knee.{{Cite web |last=stevejuon |date=2019-09-27 |title=Bellator 227 Results & Streaming Play-By-Play Main Card Updates |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2019/9/27/20693104/bellator-227-results-henderson-vs-jury-streaming-play-by-play-updates |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}} However, before this, Miragliotta would deduct a point from him because of "unsportsmanlike conduct" after he insulted his opponent.{{Cite web |last=Marrocco |first=Steven |date=2019-10-01 |title=Referee Dan Miragliotta responds to Michael 'Venom' Page: 'I'll never do his fights again' |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/10/1/20892493/referee-dan-miragliotta-responds-to-michael-venom-page-ill-never-do-his-fights-again |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} At the end of the fight, Miragliotta attempted to make Page and Kiley shake hands to show sportsmanship. However, Page would tell him to "fuck off". After this, Miragliotta would turn to one of Page's coaches and say "What a fucking piece of shit." before promptly apologizing. After the event, Page would demand an apology and Miragliotta would vow to never referee any of his future fights.{{Cite web |last=Balfe |first=John |date=2019-10-01 |title=Dan Miragliotta confirms he called Michael 'Venom' Page a 'f*cking piece of s**t' following Bellator Dublin bout |url=https://themaclife.com/sports/mma/dan-miragliotta-confirms-called-michael-venom-page-fcking-piece-st-following-bellator-dublin-bout/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}} Neither of them would be punished by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation for their actions. The pair would later reconcile, although the decision to "never share the ring again" would be kept.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-19 |title=MVP forgives ref Miragliotta for post-fight clash |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/28077180/michael-venom-page-forgives-referee-dan-miragliotta-post-fight-clash |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Miragliotta's next controversial moment would occur on UFC on ESPN 7, involving his handling and stoppage of the bout between Ben Rothwell and Stefan Struve.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC on ESPN 7 - Overeem vs. Rozenstruik |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-on-ESPN-7-Overeem-vs-Rozenstruik-76605 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} In the first round of the bout, Struve was winning the striking exchanges. However, he was hit with a low blow from which he took almost five minutes to recover.{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Dan |date=2019-12-08 |title=UFC DC Results: After Delivering Two Groin Shots, Ben Rothwell Finishes Stefan Struve |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/12/07/ufc-dc-results-ben-rothwell/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} In the second round, Struve would be hit with another low blow which he would also take long to recover from. During this recovery time, Miragliotta would tell him that he was up two rounds to zero, and if he chose not to continue, his decision would be to declare the fight a no contest.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-08 |title=UFC on ESPN 7 results: Ben Rothwell low blows then TKOs Stefan Struve |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/12/ufc-on-espn-7-results-ben-rothwell-low-blows-then-tkos-stefan-struve |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} The fight would continue with a point deduction to Rothwell. Shortly after the bout resumed, Rothwell would overwhelm Struve and Miragliotta stopped the fight when Struve crumpled to the canvas with three seconds left on the round. Miragliotta's words to Struve would be questioned, as many considered it inappropriate for a referee to advise a fighter.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-10 |title=Stefan Struve defends referee Dan Miragliotta's controversial handling of his fight with Ben Rothwell |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/12/stefan-struve-ben-rothwell-dan-miragliotta-ufc-dc-controversial-handling-of-fight |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} However, Struve would later defend Miragliotta, declaring that the referee was just trying to allow him to make a good decision.

The next time Miragliotta would become target of heavy criticism would involve him as a judge rather than a referee and would take place in UFC on ESPN 43. The card included a bout between Maycee Barber and Andrea Lee,{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC on ESPN 43 - Vera vs. Sandhagen |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-on-ESPN-43-Vera-vs-Sandhagen-95704 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} in which Miragliotta would be a judge. Barber would go on to win the bout via split decision and Miragliotta's scorecards would draw negative feedback from both fighters and fans, as he scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Barber.{{Cite news |last=Nambiar |first=Abhishek |date=30 March 2023 |title=Dan Miragliotta slammed by MMA world for 30-27 score in Maycee Barber's favor: UFC San Antonio |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-dan-miragliotta-slammed-mma-world-30-27-score-maycee-barber-s-favor-ufc-san-antonio |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327115544/https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-dan-miragliotta-slammed-mma-world-30-27-score-maycee-barber-s-favor-ufc-san-antonio |archive-date=27 March 2023 |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=Sportskeeda}} This came into great contrast with Chris Lee's and Frank Collazo's scorecards, scoring the bout 30-29 for Lee and Barber, respectively.

Finally, UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has gone as far as to claim that he suspects Miragliotta is part of a conspiracy against him (although no substantial evidence for this claim has been provided).{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander K. |date=2023-02-02 |title=Derrick Lewis doesn't want Dan Miragliotta reffing UFC Vegas 68 fight after past stoppages: 'He's got a conspiracy out on me' |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/2/23582959/derrick-lewis-doesnt-want-dan-miragliotta-reffing-ufc-vegas-68-fight-hes-got-a-conspiracy-out-on-me |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} In Lewis's fights against Tai Tuivasa and Sergei Pavlovich, in UFC 271{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 271 - Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-271-Adesanya-vs-Whittaker-2-90742 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} and UFC 277,{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 277 - Pena vs. Nunes 2 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-277-Pena-vs-Nunes-2-92633 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} respectively, Lewis would complain about Miragliotta's decision to stop the fight.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-13 |title=UFC 271 results: Tai Tuivasa outslugs Derrick Lewis, knocks out 'The Black Beast' |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/02/ufc-271-results-tai-tuivasa-outslugs-derrick-lewis-knocks-out-the-black-beast |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Meshew |first=Jed |date=2022-07-31 |title=Sergei Pavlovich and Dana White disagree on controversial stoppage of Derrick Lewis at UFC 277 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/7/31/23285702/sergei-pavlovich-and-dana-white-disagree-on-controversial-stoppage-of-derrick-lewis-at-ufc-277#:~:text=On%20Saturday%20night%20at%20UFC,Miragliotta%20waved%20off%20the%20fight. |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} Regarding the bout against Pavlovich, commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, as well as fighters such as Francis Ngannou and Belal Muhammad, among others, also regarded its end as an early stoppage.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander K. |date=2022-07-30 |title='Weak as hell': Fighters debate stoppage of Sergei Pavlovich vs. Derrick Lewis bout at UFC 277 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/7/30/23285642/weak-as-hell-fighters-debate-stoppage-of-sergei-pavlovich-vs-derrick-lewis-bout-at-ufc-277 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} Dana White, CEO and president of the UFC, also considered the stoppage to be early but did not see it as a great mistake, commenting "Miragliotta made a mistake, but it happens."

Outside of mixed martial arts, Miragliotta has also acted as a referee in bare-knuckle boxing for BKFC and kickboxing for Gut Check Promotions.{{Cite web |title=Refereed by Dan Miragliotta |url=https://www.tapology.com/search/mma-fights-by-referee/dan-miragliotta? |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Tapology |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• {{imdbname|3153034}}
• [https://www.tapology.com/search/mma-fights-by-referee/dan-miragliotta List of bouts refereed by "Big" Dan Miragliotta] on Tapology

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Category:1963 births

category:Living people

Category:Actors from New Jersey

Category:American referees and umpires

Category:Mixed martial arts referees