It was a remarkable night for the man who was right in the middle of the action in the legendary Octagon. Referee Dan Miragliotta, who oversaw Saturday night’s Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker bout, officiated his 500th career UFC fight with this tilt this weekend, becoming just the fourth UFC referee to reach this milestone. Miragliotta was greeted with applause from the audience as he was introduced by Joe Martinez.
Although it took a while for Dustin Jacoby to achieve the result he wanted, the outcome was never in question to begin with. All you need to know about this fight is what happened in the second round of a scheduled three.
Dustin Jacoby stacks up in attack with incredible showing Saturday night at Apex
In the opening match of the main card on Paramount Plus, Jacoby uncorked a vicious right-handed shot to set up Walker about a minute into the second period. Dustin Jacoby thought the right hand was enough to end the fight and started walking away after landing the shot, only to be told by Dan Miragliotta that the fight wasn’t quite over and that he should keep going.
Jacoby kept up the offensive attack with some nasty ground and pound attacks before Julius Walker rose to try to secure a takedown and flip the script. Dustin Jacoby, however, was having none of that on Saturday night.
A barrage of elbows from Jacoby led to him going full mount and continually landing heavy blows. Finally, with just over a minute and a half left on the second round clock on Saturday night, Dan Miragliotta saved Julius Walker from further punishment. Jacoby scored his third victory in the distance.
Dustin Jacoby excited for fight on June 13 at the White House
One of the most anticipated events on the 2026 UFC schedule will take place at the end of the second quarter of this year. On Saturday, June 13, the White House grounds will serve as the backdrop for a one-time event commemorating the 80th birthday of US President Donald Trump.
After giving credit where it’s due in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder on Saturday, Dustin Jacoby threw his hat into the proverbial ring for that card.
“My mind is bulletproof,” Dustin Jacoby began. “Bulletproof confidence. Listen, man, I’ve spent 16 years traveling the world, fighting professionally and of course representing this country through mixed martial arts. I would love nothing more than to have the opportunity to fight at the White House in June. I know everyone wants to be on that card, but that’s three major knockouts in a row. I hope to God that’s a performance bonus.”
Jacoby concluded his interview with a request to contact the president during UFC White House fight week.
“Mr. President, let’s go outside and play some golf, honey!” he said.
Final Thoughts: Does Dustin Jacoby deserve a spot on the White House Card?
As I write this it is February 8. UFC White House is 125 days away on February 13th. Although Dustin Jacoby was denied a $50,000 (USD) advance for the Performance of the Night Award on Saturday night, he won convincingly against Julius Walker in Meta Apex.
While UFC CEO Dana White has yet to formally announce or finalize the bouts that will appear on the UFC White House card in late spring, as this past weekend was an electric knockout victory, Dustin Jacoby made the case for an exceptional case to appear on the show later this year.
While it’s unclear whether Jacoby will get a spot on the main card if he even secures a spot at the White House event, the finish he put together last weekend will be hard to ignore when the time comes to start matchmaking.
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