John McCarthy Delivers Blunt Verdict On Referee Decision That Changed Renato Moicano’s Fight At UFC Vegas 123

UFC legend slams Dan Miragliotta’s controversial stand-up decision.© NDTV Photo Library

Tom Nolan scored the biggest win of his career at UFC Vegas 123. He stopped former lightweight title challenger Renato Moicano in the third round of their main event at the UFC's Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The Australian's TKO win, however, was overshadowed by referee Dan Miragliotta's decision to stand the fighters up while Moicano had back control in the second round. Nolan, 26, was hurt and controlled for long stretches before the reset. Once back on his feet, he landed damaging strikes. He carried that momentum into the third round and finished Moicano with punches and elbows at 1:28.

McCarthy blasts Miragliotta over controversial stand-up call

Renato Moicano took Tom Nolan's back early in the first round and repeatedly threatened with a body triangle. He appeared to be in firm control again midway through the second when Miragliotta separated them and ordered a restart.

Former referee and MMA broadcaster John McCarthy criticised the call on The Ariel Helwani Show, saying Moicano was still working for a finish from the position. McCarthy argued that a fighter should not be forced to improve from back control simply because the action appears slow.

He added that the stand-up handed Nolan an unfair advantage and changed the shape of the fight. McCarthy also said he had never, in more than three decades as an official, seen a fighter stand up from a body triangle.

He stated, “With the UFC, I am sure they were happy that Tom Nolan won and thought it was not that bad of a thing, but was it fair? That's my one question."

Nolan makes a massive statement with the career's biggest UFC victory

Nolan wasted little time after the restart. He hurt Moicano with a knee and heavy striking late in the second. Then opened the third with a jab, high kick, and another knee before taking top position.

From there, Nolan landed a series of unanswered punches and elbows until Miragliotta stepped in at 1:28 of Round 3. The official result was a TKO win for the Australian, who moved to 12-1 overall and 6-1 in the UFC.

Moicano, 37, fell to 21-8-1. He had rebounded from consecutive defeats with a second-round submission of Chris Duncan in April. He was looking to re-enter the lightweight title conversation.

Moicano's next career move raises questions

Nolan has now won six straight in the UFC and delivered a statement performance in his first main event. The victory should push the Brisbane native closer to the lightweight top 10 after his earlier win over Fares Ziam.

Moicano's future is less certain. He has three fights remaining on his UFC contract and has previously spoken about exploring boxing once his current deal ends.

The loss will sting because of how the fight turned. Moicano did not publicly blame Miragliotta afterwards, but the debate over whether the referee should have intervened is unlikely to settle quickly.