Jason Miller talks retirement, UFC 146 backstage incident
Posted on May 28, 2012, 05:29 PM by Anton GurevichMMA veteran Jason Miller has finally shed light on the mysterious UFC 146 'backstage incident', revealing that it was all about his somewhat controversial in-cage entrance.
Miller is one of the most colorful characters in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, and is well known for his well-planned entrances. Only that this time, the UFC decided to protect the crowd from Mayhem's creativity (MMAMania.com, via The MMA Hour):
"It was my mask. Burt [Watson] suddenly started yelling about my mask. I had a gas mask for the troops underneath my paper bag, and Burt started telling me right as I'm walking out for the fight. I'm trying to get focused instead of arguing about a paper bag. Maybe it was my fault. I thought we had an understanding once I start walking out to the cage and then now I'm working, but obviously we're not on a playing field of mutual respect."
Miller also confirmed that he has now officially retired from Mixed Martial Arts competition. Thirty-one year old fighter sees "no point" in continuing his career, and feels that it's time to concentrate on his private aspirations:
"I feel free in a weird way. Like in the strangest way, I feel free and I know that sounds strange when I've devoted my entire life to fighting, but I feel like my life is unlocked for a whole other set of adventures. I don't feel the need to super-impress one person in particular, make them happy. I can focus on making myself happy and I don't have the pressures of a commissioner chasing me around with a piss cup or the pressures of everyone verbally abusing me for my missteps via social media. I feel like a weight is lifted."
Mayhem made his professional debut nearly 12 years ago, submitting Brian Warren via a Rear Naked Choke. Miller ends his career with a record of 23-9-(1), and notable victories over Tim Kennedy, Robbie Lawler, Dennis Kang and Kazushi Sakuraba. Mayhem never won any major MMA titles, but he definitely established himself as a champion in entertainment.
Comments
What?
That really sucks. Everyone is going to talk sh^t now about how he never won a fight in the UFC and that is sad because those fights were against GSP, Bisping after a huge layoff, and with one leg. Considering that he was able to control Bisping on the ground I would say that an in shape, rust free Miller would have a good shot at winning that fight and I definitely think he would have won Saturday if he had two legs. Good luck in all of those future adventures and thank you for many exciting fights and a great show about beating up bullies. I'll miss you.
I wondered after the Bisping fight if he really has his head in the fight game these days. Mayhem had a good carreer but the last few years he doesn't seem to have the determination in the cage that he used to.
He will make a good submission coach.
Clarification, "with one leg" refers to Saturday not the fight with Bisping.
It's a shame Miller only went as far as he did. He might've gotten further if he was more serious or maybe being silly is what got him this far, all I know is that I'm sad to see him retire.
Did I miss something in the explanation? I still don't know what happened
Mayhem got fired for having an argument after the fight. Dana didn't want to talk about it.
I'm sorry to see him go, but if Mayhem ever changes his mind, he'll probably always have a home in Japan.
@Jtalbian
? Unless i can't read properly the statement i just read suggests he was talking about an incident before the fight. Dana said he did something after the fight, what Dana said and the comments above don't add up. Anyway Mayhem is a charismatic and creative individual, I'm sure he'll do well with whatever he decides to do from this point good luck to him.
What Dana says often doesn't jibe with reality. "Frank Mir will NOT replace Alistair Overeem." Not really a quote as much as a paraphrase but you get the point.
he probably flipped on Bert after the fight for screwing up his entrance to his fight and throwing him off his game.
Yeah I'm confused too. My best guess to piece this all together: Burt told Miller at the last minute (because he probably didn't see it until that time) that he couldn't walk out with his gas mask. I'm GUESSING that after the fight, Miller probably confronted Burt or threw some sort of related tantrum regarding the gas mask and his walk-out. Between that and his performances, Dana tossed him.
If the Mayhem that showed some decent stand up against CB woulda showed that against Bisping it will probably woulda been a totally different fight...who's Burt Watson? I hope Mayhem comes back and fights for other promotions,Japan,wherever,hopefully he changes his mind,he's a good fighter!
Burt Watson "baby sitter of the stars" is the black guy that you see at the weigh-ins he takes care of all the fighters hotel, and travel, and makes sure they are where they are supposed to be, as well as getting them out in time for their walk outs and fights, he pretty much runs the backstage.
Big Burt is under strict orders from the top and can't let fighters just do what they want entering the cage.
Uncle Dana calls the shots
This loser is an embarrassment to MMA. His UFC fights have been garbage he looks completely out of his element.
Mayhem had some of the funniest entrances.
I guess however that when you allow this type of entrance to occur as a company, where do you draw the line as to what they can and cant do entering a fight.
mayhem got quarantined
He just seems to have bad luck on the big stage, especially in the UFC. He rocked CB twice, also he arguably won the first round against the Count. It's a shame his leg decided to quit in the last fight. It's pretty obvious that his leg was jacked up. I'm sure he he handled himself in a different way he would get another chance in the UFC. But I do not think Dana will do that, after the post fight incident. From what i've read he was very upset and got into a few arguments with the UFC staff and CB, ultimately leaving the Grand without notice. I guess he thought he blew it and decided to leave with a bang, sort of say.
what happend after the fight?
I think Mayhem's entrance when he rips the head of a doll will always stay with me as the greatest ever.
Imagine a Mayhem vs Lawlor bout & the entrances. Holy wow!