Issue 083

December 2011

Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller is one of those ‘love him or hate him’ guys who’s impossible to ignore. With his theatrical ring entrances and animated interviews, the tough kid born in Atlanta, Georgia has fought and entertained his way to the forefront of the world’s most exciting sport.

NEED TO KNOW

NAME: Jason Miller

AGE: 30

STARTED: 2001  

DIVISION: Middleweight

STYLE: BJJ, Muay Thai

BASED: Huntington Beach, California

RECORD 24-7, 1NC

6 (T)KOs (25%)

14 Subs (58.3%)

4 Decisions (16.7%)

Miller began fighting at a young age, competing in jiu-jitsu and judo tournaments and even skipping his high school prom, instead taking his date to see his first fight. It’s clear that he has an inert love for physicality and Mayhem feels that he, and indeed all the Millers, are “the toughest rednecks on the planet.” Even his TUF 14 foe, Michael Bisping, has testified to the toughness of the “super tough” Mayhem. “If you look at his fight with Georges St Pierre he was getting the s**t kicked out of him and he was just laughing the whole time.”

After putting an impressive string of wins together between 2003 and 2004 and winning his first professional title for the SuperBrawl promotion, Miller fought only once for the UFC against GSP at 170lb, a tough weight cut for the lengthy submission fighter who now walks around at over 200lb. Needless to say, coming in drained ‘Rush’ was not a recipe for success.

Miller fought his way back to the top of the MMA’s 185lb picture (his natural weight class) earning a title shot in his Strikeforce debut, losing to Jake Shields. He continued to live up to his name and grab the media’s attention with his part in the now infamous Nashville Brawl between himself and the Cesar Gracie team, resulting in him being permanently banned from appearing on the CBS network.

The UFC have since given Miller a second chance, signing him in earlier this year and thrusting him into the spotlight as a coach on season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter his unique personality obviously being a key factor in the decision. Despite not having consistently faced top-level competition, many feel his grappling skills and toughness will bring him success in the sport’s premier promotion.

In December 2010, ‘Mayhem’ was awarded his BJJ black belt by Fabricio Werdum, confirming his position as an elite submission fighter.

COLORFUL 

With his ever-changing, increasingly brightening hair and his polarizing personality, Mayhem Miller is as cartoonish as they come in the mixed martial arts world. Even before he became a member of the UFC’s middleweight division, his quirky humor and outlandish behavior, both in and out of competition, made him one of MMA’s most must-watch personalities.

MULTI-TALENTED

As well as his impressive combative capabilities, Miller also excels as a TV presenter and is well known in the American mainstream entertainment world as the host of MTV’s Bully Beatdown. Whereas many fighters struggle to find ways to make money once their MMA careers are over, the leader of the ‘Mayhem Monkeys’ looks set to continue entertaining us long after his days in the cage have passed.

HARDCORE FANS

Jason Miller is the leader of the Mayhem Monkey cult; a dedicated following which he has built up through his exposure as a fighter and television personality. Becoming a Mayhem Monkey involves completing a random homework assignment set by Miller himself. Anyone looking to join the Monkey Militia can sign up at mayhemmonkeys.com. Mayhem also has an impressive Twitter following, which currently stands at over 133,000!

Career Snapshot

2001

Wins his professional debut with Rage in the Cage against Tommy Laguwans. Goes undefeated for the year, winning another two fights, both victories coming by way of submission.

2004

Defies the popular ‘ring-rust’ theory and wins his first and only fight of the year against Ronald Jhun, choking him out with an arm triangle in the second round and claiming the SuperBrawl welterweight title.

2005

Loses first fight of the year in his only UFC bout to date against future welterweight phenom Georges St Pierre. Is subsequently dropped from the promotion and goes on to win his next two fights that year, one at a 175lb catchweight and one at middleweight, causing him to vacate the SuperBrawl welterweight title.

2009

Defeats Kala Hose via choke in his first fight of the year before fighting to a no contest against Ronaldo Souza, after landing an illegal soccer kick, a month later. Loses a decision to Jake Shields in his Strikeforce debut for the vacant middleweight championship.

2011

Is signed by the UFC and receives mass media attention as coach on season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter. Fights opposing coach Michael Bisping at the TUF 14 Finale in a highly anticipated grudge match.