UFC Referee sees Great Growth in Canadian Mixed Martial Arts

Canadian fighters are climbing the MMA food chain faster than ever before.

Veteran UFC referee “Big Dan” Miragliotta thinks that Ontario’s influence in the sport is becoming far more apparent. Although the province has only been regulating MMA for one year, it's been long enough for Miragliotta to notice a radical change.

“I see fighters coming down to New Jersey and a lot of these east coast larger events that are out of Canada, where before you would never hear of these guys,” explained Miragliotta. “The exposure they’re getting is great. Ken Hayashi, [Ontario's Athletics Commissioner,] is doing an excellent job with the commission there. The guys they have that are working with him know the sport and have learned by doing it.”

All mixed martial arts bouts are officially sanctioned by provincial or state athletics commissions. Many of these have come under fire from fans for providing inadequate judges and referees.

Miragliotta, an employee of the commissions, says people forget what a difficult job officiating a fight can be.

“Honestly they’re doing a great job, I wouldn’t even say they have to improve,” shared Miragliotta. “I like what they’re doing. They’re bringing people in that know it (MMA), that have been around for a long time and are used enough to help people who are there to learn and become more proficient.”

Miragliotta says that he is happy to be a part of the growth of MMA by being a referee, but eventually he plans to retire and train fighters.