Although they engaged in a three-way war of words last Friday at Bellator Europe 4, fighters Michael Page and Richard Kiely, and referee Dan Miragliotta won’t be punished for their behavior.
Michael Mazzulli, who regulates Bellator’s European events, told MMA Junkie on Monday that none of the three parties involved will be fined or suspended for their actions in the cage at 3Arena in Dublin. All three men received a warning and will need to meet adamant expectations going forward.
According to Mazzulli, the two fighters were warned by Miragliotta before the fight that disrespectful behavior would not be tolerated. The warning fell on deaf ears as Kiely flipped Page the bird just minutes into their contest. At that point, Miragliotta issued a second warning not solely to Kiely, but Page as well, Mazzulli said.
Moments later, Page hurt Kiely, and the two landed on the ground with MVP on top. As Kiely covered up, Page began to land hard punches on Kiely’s head. When Page’s trash talk and between-punch taunting escalated, Miragliotta called a stop to the contest to deduct a point.
The point deduction was met with mixed reviews by the MMA community, but according to Mazzulli, Miragliotta made the right call as unsportsmanlike conduct is at the sole discretion of the referee. If Miragliotta decided not to take a point, Mazzulli said he would have trusted his judgment then, as well.
As reported by MMA Fighting, Mazzulli originally planned on fining Kiely $1,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, Mazzulli informed MMA Junkie that he has since decided not to.
An investigation by Mazzulli concluded all parties involved were responsible for the escalation of language. Per Mazzulli, when Miragliotta attempted to restrain Page from going back at Kiely after the finish, the welterweight fighter directed explicit language toward the referee.
As for Page’s claim that Miragliotta called him a “piece of (expletive),” Mazzulli discovered through the review process that the official did not say it directly to the fighter.
“What occurred was Dan was walking away and one of (Page’s) trainers came up,” Mazzulli said. “I’ve already spoken to his trainers afterwards, and we shook hands. Dan is only human, and he didn’t say it directly to Mr. Page, but that did come out of his mouth, I guess.”
Past history played a big role in the final decision not impose fines. All three parties have exemplified good behavior in the past, per Mazzulli.
After Bellator Dublin, Page said his next fight will be in England – a card that will be regulated by Mazzulli. If Page doesn’t want Miragliotta to officiate his bouts going forward, Mazzulli said he would consider the request.
“I will take it into consideration to make sure the fighter is taken care of,” Mazzulli said. “If he doesn’t want Dan Miragliotta in the cage, it only makes sense.”
Going forward, Mazzulli adamantly said all three parties will know his expectations. “First time, shame on you. Second time, shame on the commissioner,” he said.
