Jason Miller hasn't had a good week.
The former host of MTV's 'Bully Beatdown' pledged to quit MMA if he lost to C.B. Dollaway at UFC 146, and after rocking "The Doberman" twice on the feet, and despite coming into the bout shredded, he would go on to get outwrestled for three rounds and lose a unanimous decision. Afterwards, Dana White said Miller was 'done with the UFC' and even alluded to a backstage incident.
During an appearance on The MMA Hour today, "Mayhem" cleared the air and confirmed that he'll be stepping away from the sport.
"Yeah, I said I would [retire] and so I am. I didn't get the job done and that's what I'm saying. I'm done for right now. Who knows what the future holds but at the same time, what's the point?"
Miller was distant and cryptic at times during the conversation, talking about jumping off a bridge, then correcting himself and saying "base jumping' when asked for clarification.
'Mayhem' also had plenty to say about the reported backstage incident that had Dana White all fired up.
Despite rumors, the incident had nothing to do with his opponent C.B. Dollaway backstage, it had more to do with Miller's entrance.
"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."
The nearly 12 year fight veteran has become rather popular for his pre-fight cage entrances, so it's not surprising that he would be upset when things were changed at the last minute.
"I wish I would have heard about it before so it would be easier to deal with. But here I am walking to the cage, and suddenly I started getting yelled at. I'm like ‘what, I'm trying to focus here.' Whatever. Things don't always go the way you want. That's life and you have to deal with it."
While most fighters seemingly feel empty when they walk away from the sport, Miller actually sounded relieved when talking about his decision and his newfound freedom.
"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."
What's your take on all of this, Maniacs?
This isn't the first time that Miller has retired from MMA. Do you think this time will be permanent, or would you rather not see him fight again after two very disappointing stints in the UFC?
Let's hear it!
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