Jason Miller’s return to MMA might have to wait after his latest run-in with the law. The troubled UFC veteran was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a tattoo shop this January. He was taken to Orange County Men’s Central jail where he is being held on a $1,000,000 bond according to a report from TMZ Sports.
Jason Miller’s return to MMA might have to wait after his latest run-in with the law.
The troubled UFC veteran was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a tattoo shop this January. He was taken to Orange County Men’s Central jail where he is being held on a $1,000,000 bond according to a report from TMZ Sports.
‘Mayhem’ was scheduled to take on fellow UFC castoff Luke Barnatt in the headliner of May 21’s Venator 21 from Italy, his first fight since a 2012 defeat to middleweight vet C.B. Dolloway.
Miller was once a prominent figure in the MMA world, hosting MTV’s “Bully Beatdown” prior to his stint as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14. There, he failed to deliver on his massive trash talk opposite Michael Bisping, absorbing an embarassing TKO loss at the Finale.
He was cut after the subsequent loss to Dollaway and has been on an unfortunate downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse coupled with numerous arrests for charges such as DUI, assaulting a police officer, and a highly publicized standoff with a SWAT team at his California home. The high number of his arrests coupled with the fact that he already out on bail for a prior felony charge.
Miller was reportedly arrested on Tuesday and appeared in court today.
Venator FC has not pulled Mayhem from the bout despite the allegations, but with only slightly more than two months remaining until the card, they may have no choice.
At this point, there are few jokes left to be made at the expense of Jason “Mayhem” Miller, whose downward spiral over the past five years has seen him arrested for severalacts of assault and engage in a standoff with Los Angeles SWAT members (a standoff which he live-tweeted) among other crimes and misdemeanors. It’s been nothing short of heartbreaking to witness, and made all the worse by the knowledge that the path on which he is currently traveling seems destined to end in only the darkest of ways.
Yet despite the many, many warning signs Miller has given off in recent years, the former Strikeforce and UFC middleweight was inexplicably booked in a match against fellow UFC alum Luke Barnatt for Italian promotion VenatorFC this coming May — a story that was immediately undercut by Miller’s subsequent arrest for driving under the influence.
As you might expect, we are not about to deliver the news that Miller has made a miraculous recovery and has rededicated himself to the sport that made him such a notorious and likable personality to begin with. No, we’re here to tell you that “Mayhem” has been arrested YET AGAIN, and the best thing we can say is that thankfully no one was hurt.
At this point, there are few jokes left to be made at the expense of Jason “Mayhem” Miller, whose downward spiral over the past five years has seen him arrested for severalacts of assault and engage in a standoff with Los Angeles SWAT members (a standoff which he live-tweeted) among other crimes and misdemeanors. It’s been nothing short of heartbreaking to witness, and made all the worse by the knowledge that the path on which he is currently traveling seems destined to end in only the darkest of ways.
Yet despite the many, many warning signs Miller has given off in recent years, the former Strikeforce and UFC middleweight was inexplicably booked in a match against fellow UFC alum Luke Barnatt for Italian promotion VenatorFC this coming May – a story that was immediately undercut by Miller’s subsequent arrest for driving under the influence.
As you might expect, we are not about to deliver the news that Miller has made a miraculous recovery and has rededicated himself to the sport that made him such a notorious and likable personality to begin with. No, we’re here to tell you that “Mayhem” has been arrested YET AGAIN, and the best thing we can say is that thankfully no one was hurt.
Details after the jump.
According to FOX Sports (via TMZ), Miller was nabbed yet again by Orange County police following “an incident that took place in January where the former UFC middleweight allegedly vandalized a tattoo shop with graffiti.” Due to the apparently extensive nature of the damage he inflicted (and the fact that he was out on bail when he committed the crime in question), Miller is currently being held on a bail of 1 million goddamn dollars.
One would imagine that this latest arrest will serve as the beginning and end of Miller’s expected return to the cage, but given how fiercely Venator FC president Frank Meranda defended Miller upon signing him, who knows what will happen to the former Strikeforce star.
What’s that? You say that you didn’t hear about Meranda’s defence? Well strap in for this one, Nation, because not only did the Venator president pen a (poorly-worded) press release condemning those of us who thought that putting Miller back in the cage was an inhumane cash grab as “idiots,” but he also personally took to Twitter to tell our buddy The Naked Gambler to “suck his dick.”
No joke. Here’s a sample of said press release:
Be fined (sic) does not make Miller a criminal to my eyes. I will not cancel any match for this reason. Indeed, I find it absolutely disgusting the some press rage against a person who is working hard in the gym to get back doing what he loves: Fighting in the cage.
For all the poor idiots who continue to speak of the mental condition of Miller. Miller is a born actor. These days he’s proving his qualities with never ending jokes on the internet and twitter. He was not “drunk” when he said Josh Barnett instead of Luke Barnatt. He is just doing with great skills his PR job, above all with no trash talk and without offending anyone as it’s quite normal in modern MMA, but with subtle irony, playing the character of “mental devastated” that every stupid in this world lightly gives to him without actually knowing him.
Jason Miller is not a saint. We do not defend what he has done wrong in the past. But we are happy and honored to give him the chance he deserves to show how the MMA can be a vehicle for the rebirth of a person.
For all who would like to see him alone and abandoned by everyone, I only have one word for you: be ashamed of yourself. I believe in Jason Miller. I’ll give this guy his chance.
Right, because we and the state of California have not given Miller enough chances already. The shame…it’s constricting my heart like a boa.
Venator has decided to opt for a less aggressive response this time around, though, writing on their official Facebook page that “Venator FC is aware of the situation involving Jason Miller” and “We take this matter seriously and we will act accordingly once we gather more information.”
“Act accordingly.” Oh, I can see Meranda’s statement now…
“In my eyes, spray-painting a tattoo shop does not make you a criminal. If it did, then Banksy would basicly be Hitler. Everyone knows that there are only two *real* crimes in this world: rape and murder. Jason Miller is not a saint, but he hasn’t committed either of those yet, so I c no reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to fight. In fact, we here at Venator FC our fully prepared to pay Miller’s legal fees, and think that all of you MMA media pussies should just shut the fuck up already and quit your bitching.
While athletes are often looked upon as role models and admirable figures, some just don’t fit the mold. Sure, there’s plenty of classy, respectful athletes that go on to have extremely successful careers, but there always has to be a bad guy to balance things out. This is widely relevant in the sport of mixed
While athletes are often looked upon as role models and admirable figures, some just don’t fit the mold.
Sure, there’s plenty of classy, respectful athletes that go on to have extremely successful careers, but there always has to be a bad guy to balance things out.
This is widely relevant in the sport of mixed martial arts, as personality and style can often times weigh out skill in terms of popularity and fan reception.
Aside from the class act champions like all-time great Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, we have seen many fighters travel down different paths.
Whether it be mistakes made, or a conscious decision to embrace the role of a heel, we have seen our fair share of bad boys in the UFC.
As reported last week, Jason “Mayhem” Miller was arrested in California for DUI and is set to appear in court on March 7th. Miller is coming out of retirement to fight for Italy-based company Venator FC. Venator FC issued a statement after Miller’s arrest, seeming to attack Miller’s critics.
Here’s an excerpt from Venator FC’s press release on Miller’s arrest:
Frank Merenda, President and co-founder of Venator FC, released a statement today:
“We signed a contract with Jason Miller after long reflections with his coach and manager. It was never a decision taken lightly.
“The offenses to justice of Miller fall in the “fines” section, and at the present time there are no serious charges against him. But above all, the problems with the justice of Jason Miller began AFTER his retirement from MMA and we believe that his return to activity can help him greatly with his path to redemption.
“As president of Venator FC I have no intention of taking away his opportunity because Miller was stopped for driving under the influence. As driving under the influence has to be condemned strongly and it’s just fair that Miller pays his fine, I would be personally curious to know how many of the “saints” journalists and Miller’s haters have never drunk a couple of beers before leaving home.
“Be fined does not make Miller a criminal to my eyes. I will not cancel any match for this reason.
“Indeed, I find it absolutely disgusting the some press rage against a person who is working hard in the gym to get back doing what he loves: Fighting in the cage.
“For all the poor idiots who continue to speak of the mental condition of Miller. Miller is a born actor. These days he’s proving his qualities with never ending jokes on the internet and twitter. He was not “drunk” when he said Josh Barnett instead of Luke Barnatt. He is just doing with great skills his PR job, above all with no trash talk and without offending anyone as it’s quite normal in modern MMA, but with subtle irony, playing the character of “mental devastated” that every stupid in this world lightly gives to him without actually knowing him.
“Jason Miller is not a saint. We do not defend what he has done wrong in the past. But we are happy and honored to give him the chance he deserves to show how the MMA can be a vehicle for the rebirth of a person.
“For all who would like to see him alone and abandoned by everyone, I only have one word for you: be ashamed of yourself. I believe in Jason Miller. I’ll give this guy his chance.”
As reported last week, Jason “Mayhem” Miller was arrested in California for DUI and is set to appear in court on March 7th. Miller is coming out of retirement to fight for Italy-based company Venator FC. Venator FC issued a statement after Miller’s arrest, seeming to attack Miller’s critics.
Here’s an excerpt from Venator FC’s press release on Miller’s arrest:
Frank Merenda, President and co-founder of Venator FC, released a statement today:
“We signed a contract with Jason Miller after long reflections with his coach and manager. It was never a decision taken lightly.
“The offenses to justice of Miller fall in the “fines” section, and at the present time there are no serious charges against him. But above all, the problems with the justice of Jason Miller began AFTER his retirement from MMA and we believe that his return to activity can help him greatly with his path to redemption.
“As president of Venator FC I have no intention of taking away his opportunity because Miller was stopped for driving under the influence. As driving under the influence has to be condemned strongly and it’s just fair that Miller pays his fine, I would be personally curious to know how many of the “saints” journalists and Miller’s haters have never drunk a couple of beers before leaving home.
“Be fined does not make Miller a criminal to my eyes. I will not cancel any match for this reason.
“Indeed, I find it absolutely disgusting the some press rage against a person who is working hard in the gym to get back doing what he loves: Fighting in the cage.
“For all the poor idiots who continue to speak of the mental condition of Miller. Miller is a born actor. These days he’s proving his qualities with never ending jokes on the internet and twitter. He was not “drunk” when he said Josh Barnett instead of Luke Barnatt. He is just doing with great skills his PR job, above all with no trash talk and without offending anyone as it’s quite normal in modern MMA, but with subtle irony, playing the character of “mental devastated” that every stupid in this world lightly gives to him without actually knowing him.
“Jason Miller is not a saint. We do not defend what he has done wrong in the past. But we are happy and honored to give him the chance he deserves to show how the MMA can be a vehicle for the rebirth of a person.
“For all who would like to see him alone and abandoned by everyone, I only have one word for you: be ashamed of yourself. I believe in Jason Miller. I’ll give this guy his chance.”
Jason “Mayhem” Miller was arrested the morning of February 7th for driving under the influence in Irvine, California. He was released from jail on bail later that day, and is set to appear in court on March 7.
Miller is coming out of retirement on May 21 to fight former UFC fighter Luke Barnatt for Venator FC in Italy.
He hasn’t fought since 2012 due to legal problems. The last time he was in the octagon he lost to CB Dollaway at UFC 146.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhN6xZNRWDg
Jason “Mayhem” Miller was arrested the morning of February 7th for driving under the influence in Irvine, California. He was released from jail on bail later that day, and is set to appear in court on March 7.
Miller is coming out of retirement on May 21 to fight former UFC fighter Luke Barnatt for Venator FC in Italy.
He hasn’t fought since 2012 due to legal problems. The last time he was in the octagon he lost to CB Dollaway at UFC 146.
(Well, at least Miller’s training for what awaits him in prison.)
If you ever find yourself in a heated discussion about the American justice system, look no further than the case of Jason “Mayhem” Miller as proof that it might be in need of some retooling. The former Strikeforce/UFC fighter has been arrested no less than half a dozen times in the past couple of years for various degrees of assault (some on women, others on police officers) and yet continue to roam free from the only cage he actually belongs in: a jail cell or padded room. It’s a statistical anomaly, really.
But because MMA promoters do not care one bit about the wellbeing of their fighters, it was announced a couple days back that Miller would be returning from his self-imposed retirement/exile/whatever to take on Luke Barnatt at Venator FC III in Milan, Italy on May 21st. It was, in a word, saddening.
Even more saddening, as it turns out, is what Miller did immediately after booking the fight…
(Well, at least Miller’s training for what awaits him in prison.)
If you ever find yourself in a heated discussion about the American justice system, look no further than the case of Jason “Mayhem” Miller as proof that it might be in need of some retooling. The former Strikeforce/UFC fighter has been arrested no less than half a dozen times in the past couple of years for various degrees of assault (some on women, others on police officers) and yet continue to roam free from the only cage he actually belongs in: a jail cell or padded room. It’s a statistical anomaly, really.
But because MMA promoters do not care one bit about the wellbeing of their fighters, it was announced a couple days back that Miller would be returning from his self-imposed retirement/exile/whatever to take on Luke Barnatt at Venator FC III in Milan, Italy on May 21st. It was, in a word, saddening.
Even more saddening, as it turns out, is what Miller did immediately after booking the fight…(via MMAFighting):
The troubled Miller was arrested the morning of Feb. 7 in Irvine, Calif. for suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Orange County public arrest records. He was released later that day and is due to appear in a local court on March 7.
According to a report published on TMZ.com, because of Miller’s past history of violence toward law enforcement, approximately 15 police officers and a K9 unit were on hand for his arrest in Irvine, although there was no physical confrontation this time.
The cherry on top of this shit sundae? The video below, wherein a drunken Miller fails to recall the name of the man he is supposed to being facing while announcing the damn fight.
“I have to announce, I’m gonna fight again,” says a visibly inebriated Miller, whose voice sounds like he’s been huffing inhalants non-stop from the moment he finished taping his segment for Real Sports.
“I’m fighting Josh Barnett…for the the title of…Venator FC or PC of LMNOP. Catch wrestling is nothing compared to monkey Jiu-Jitsu.” It only gets worse from there.
Come to think of it, this video was more than likely shot directly before Miller was arrested, which gives you a little insight as to the kind of people he has allowed to drag him from the bright lights of the UFC into the deepest, darkest cesspool of humanity (looking at you, guy in Superman shirt).
The recent arrest and mental state of his opponent aside, Barnatt seems to be under the influence that this is a fight we should care about, and has already taken to Instagram for a little preemptive trash talk.
Honestly, we don’t even know who to be more disappointed in, Venator for booking this fight or Barnatt or accepting it. We get that a paycheck is a paycheck, but shouldn’t the line be drawn when it comes to fighting the mentally unstable? Miller has been spending more time in a jail cell than anywhere else since his last fight — which was in 2012, for what it’s worth — and if the video above is any indication, we’re going to assume that he’s all but completely withdrawn from training. The likelihood of “Mayhem” making it to this fight or even making weight for it are slim-to-none, so what can Barnatt possibly expect to gain from this fight (except maybe Hep C)?
We’d like to think that the fight will be scrapped in light of Miller’s arrest and/or this video, but who are we kidding? Bellator has probably already promised the winner a contract. To recap how everyone involved in this story should feel:
