[1] Miragliotta started training Shitō-ryū karate at 14 years of age to recover from a surfing accident that caused two Vertebrae in his back to break.
[3] Miragliotta would then go on to train and compete in both Kenpo karate (in which he would eventually earn a 5th Dan black belt) and Doce Pares Eskrima, a Filipino stick fighting martial art.
Miragliotta would eventually start training Muay Thai and shootfighting, becoming an instructor in both, under Vut Kamnark and Bart Vale (3rd level), respectively.
He also acted as an extra in the TV series Daredevil (Big Biker) and Person of Interest (Corrupt Cop with Shotgun), both roles were uncredited.
[9][7] Miragliotta would have his first appearance in the promotion on UFC 78: Validation, where he would referee five fights, including the main event: Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping.
One of the most well-known was his stoppage of the main event of EliteXC: Primetime, Kevin Ferguson (better known as Kimbo Slice)[20] vs. James Thompson.
In the third round, Ferguson punched Thompson hard, hitting him the ear and causing the cyst that was in it to burst open, which lead to a great amount of blood pouring out.
[23] The stoppage was heavily criticised, arguing an unprepared[24] Ferguson was set up with an easy match-up that the promotion hoped he would perform well in.
[26] In 2011, Miragliotta admitted the only call he ever made he was regretful of was the highly criticized stoppage of the fight between Brandon Vera and Fabricio Werdum, on UFC 85.
[7] This decision would be heavily criticized by both fans and the media, with several attendees at the event and commentator Joe Rogan protesting the stoppage.
[33] Miragliotta's next controversial moment would occur on UFC on ESPN 7, involving his handling and stoppage of the bout between Ben Rothwell and Stefan Struve.
"[44] Outside of mixed martial arts, Miragliotta has also acted as a referee in bare-knuckle boxing for BKFC and kickboxing for Gut Check Promotions.