UFC president Dana White shared his perspective on the controversial standup during the UFC Vegas 123 headliner between Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan. Veteran mixed martial arts referee Dan Miragliotta ordered the fighters to stand up near the conclusion of the second round while Moicano held back control, widely recognized as one of the most dominant positions in the sport.
Dana White Addresses the Controversy
Although White was not present at the Meta Apex for the event, he watched the replay following widespread discussion throughout the MMA community. Speaking to reporters in Las Vegas as reported by sports.yahoo.com via MMAjunkie.com, White admitted he did not yet know what to think about the decision, noting that staff at the organization had not discussed the incident.
White explained that the core issue focuses on whether fighters are actively dealing damage and attempting to win the contest. He noted that certain athletes possess elite grappling skills that allow them to secure an opponent’s back and simply coast for multiple rounds, pointing out that regulations mandate a standup if a competitor fails to inflict damage, progress their position, or pursue a victory.
Tom Nolan Benefits and UFC Reaction
Veteran MMA figure “Big” John McCarthy stated that Nolan received an unfair advantage from the standup, which enabled him to escape Moicano’s body triangle, return to his feet, and ultimately secure a finish. Despite the intense controversy sparked among fans, White’s remarks suggest the organization holds no real concerns regarding the referee’s decision.
Furthermore, Nolan subsequently earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus, serving as additional indication that the organization did not view the controversial referee intervention as an unfair alteration to the outcome of the bout.
