Dana White On Moicano's Controversial Stand-Up

Dana White refused to criticize referee Dan Miragliotta for the controversial stand-up that helped decide UFC Halloween's main event.

Miragliotta halted the action in the second round of the Oct. 31 lightweight headliner at Meta Apex in Las Vegas while Renato Moicano controlled Tom Nolan's back with a body triangle locked in, MMA Mania reports. Nolan went on to hurt Moicano badly after the restart and stopped him in the third round.

White Questions If Moicano Was Doing Enough

The UFC president told reporters he had not discussed the incident with his staff and declined to condemn the decision outright. "I don't think it's about having the dominant position," White said, per the report. "It's: Are you doing damage, and are you trying to win the fight?"

White argued that elite grapplers could ride out entire rounds from back mount without pursuing a finish. "The rules are, if you're not doing damage, advancing your position and trying to finish the fight, you get stood up," he said.

Moicano later wrote on social media that he had performed poorly despite securing back control multiple times, admitting he could not produce damage or overcome Nolan's submission defense. The Brazilian said he will not appeal the result or pursue action against Miragliotta.

The UFC broadcast team called the stand-up a referee error during the live telecast. Moicano fights next at a date to be determined.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dana White reacts to Renato Moicano’s controversial stand-up at UFC Halloween — ‘Are you trying to win the fight?’