Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Michael “Venom” Page may have walked away with a stunning knockout win yesterday (Fri., Sept. 27, 2019) at Bellator’s event in Dublin, Ireland, but the welterweight striker now finds himself in a battle with referee Dan Miragliotta.
According to Page, who flattened Irish rival Richard Kiely in the first round of their main card grudge match, revealed during his post-fight media scrum (shown above courtesy of MMA Fighting) that Miragliotta had some choice words for him after he celebrated his flying knee finish.
“I was disgusted,” said Page. “Not only did he give me … minus a point and put me in position, he pushed me at the end and called me a piece of (expletive). Now, nobody should do that. That says to me that there’s something personal there. I don’t know what it is, but he should never be the referee for me, ever again.”
“I demand an apology from him.”
While we have yet to hear from Miragliotta himself, this certainly isn’t a good look for the veteran referee if MVP’s account is accurate. Because no matter how much Page was showboating, both before and after his KO stoppage, a referee should remain professional at every turn. That includes handling the fighters after the action concludes.
Needless to say, Bellator would be wise to try to avoid having Miragliotta referee one of Page’s future bouts. The only other time Miragliotta officiated one of MVP’s fights was back in 2015 when Page ended Charlie Ontiveros via first-round TKO (elbows).
Stick with Mania for additional Page vs. Miragliotta reaction and details.
For complete Bellator Dublin results and coverage click here.