Early life
Miller was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and raised in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Miller's father was a paratrooper in the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Division. After Miller was expelled from high school for fighting, he and his family had to move 40 miles so that Miller could attend school in a new district.
Miller developed an interest in combat sports at an early age. He earned his yellow belt in taekwondo at age 11, joined his high school's wrestling team, and would challenge the instructors of local karate schools to spar. Miller began practicing mixed martial arts specifically after being expelled from judo. He made his mixed martial arts debut at the age of 17, facing the 27-year-old Al "Superman" Dill in a Virginia Beach event. Miller won the fight by decision and embarked on a career in professional mixed martial arts.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
On October 16, 2004, Miller won his first Superbrawl Championship with a submission victory over Ronald Jhun. During the event, a riot broke out, and Miller was punched in the back of the head by fellow fighter Mark Moreno.[3] This set the stage for a grudge match in which Miller defeated Moreno with an armbar in the first round. Miller made the shaka sign shortly before the finish.
On September 2, 2006, Miller won the Icon Sport Middleweight title from Robbie Lawler in a back and forth battle. After being staggered and nearly finished by Lawler, Mayhem secured an arm triangle choke and won via submission in the third round. In December of the same year, Mayhem lost his first title defense to Frank Trigg via TKO in the second round, a fight in which he was favored to win.
Miller stepped into the Dream 4 tournament on short notice, progressing to the semifinals before his eventual elimination by Ronaldo Souza in the quarterfinals. Miller lost the fight by unanimous decision.
After a period of verbal sparring on Japanese, Brazilian and American media, Miller and Souza fought a rematch for the Dream Middleweight belt, which had recently been vacated after Gegard Mousasi's departure to the Light Heavyweight division. The fight ended in a no-contest after Miller landed an illegal soccer kick to Souza's forehead, opening a large gash and prompting a doctor's stoppage. Both fighters agreed to face each other again in September 2009, but the match was canceled after Souza signed with the Strikeforce promotion.[4]
Miller fought Jake Shields for the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight Championship on November 7, 2009, on CBS as a part of Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers. Miller lost via unanimous decision (48–47, 49–46, and 49–46).
On April 17, 2010, Miller defeated Tim Stout at Strikeforce: Nashville by ground and pound TKO at 1:47 of the first round.
Miller was expected to face Robbie Lawler on June 16, 2010, at Strikeforce: Los Angeles, but was removed from the card after the Tennessee Athletic Commission suspended him for his part in the Nashville Brawl. After Shields' win over UFC veteran and former Pride FC Welterweight and Middlweight Champion Dan Henderson, Miller confronted Jake Shields for a title rematch. Although Shields was not surprised, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, and the rest of Team Gracie fought with Miller in the cage, prompting CBS announcer Gus Johnson to say "Gentlemen, we are on national television."[5]
Although Mayhem aggressively called out Nick Diaz,[6] a fight between the two never materialized. Mayhem instead fought Kazushi Sakuraba on September 25 at Dream 16.[7] In pre-fight interviews, Miller expressed his desire to submit Sakuraba, saying "The Gracies couldn't do it. I want to." Miller won the fight by arm triangle choke.
On April 22, 2011, Miller announced via Twitter that in the wake of his Strikeforce contract expiration, he had signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.[8]
Strikeforce: Nashville brawl
On April 17, 2010, following Jake Shields' victory over Dan Henderson, Miller entered the cage unexpectedly during Shields' post-fight interview. During that interview, Miller interrupted Shields and asked "Where's my rematch, buddy?" Shields and associate Gilbert Melendez responded by pushing Miller away. Melendez, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, and other members of the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu camp attacked Miller, initiating a mass brawl. The fight was eventually broken up by referees, members of Dan Henderson's corner and the promoter's security personnel.
Miller and five other participants in the brawl were each given three-month suspensions and fines ranging between $5,000 and $7,500.[9]
Following the events of the Nashville Brawl, Miller expressed an interest in fighting Nick Diaz. The 170-pound Diaz refused, stating he was the Strikeforce Welterweight Champion and needed to continue to fight at that weight. He requested Miller move down to 170 lb to fight him. Miller continued to attempt to set up a fight, offering 183 lb as a catchweight. Diaz counter-offered a catchweight of 181 lb. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker expressed interest in scheduling a fight, but was unable to do so prior to Strikeforce's acquisition by Zuffa.[10]
Return to the UFC
On April 22, 2011, Miller signed a multi-fight agreement with the UFC.[11]
Miller was expected to face Aaron Simpson on July 2, 2011, at UFC 132.[12] However, on May 27, 2011, it was revealed that Miller would coach opposite Michael Bisping on Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter.[13] Miller was replaced by Brad Tavares on the UFC 132 card.[14]
On December 3, 2011, Bisping defeated Miller during The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale. Miller lost the fight via TKO at 3:34 of the third round.
Miller was then defeated by C. B. Dollaway on May 26, 2012, at UFC 146. After dropping Dollaway with a right hand, Miller appeared to injure his left knee. He was taken down for the rest of the fight and lost via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–26, and 29–28). Miller had previously stated on his Twitter page that if he lost the fight, he would retire.
Despite Miller's claim that he was considering retirement, Dana White opted to fire Miller one day after his loss to Dollaway. White cited unspecified "backstage antics" on the part of Miller as a partial reason for the cut, as well as Miller being a "clown" in his wardrobe choices before the fight.[15] Miller later described a brief confrontation with backstage official Burt Watson over Miller's attempt to wear a gasmask and colorful paper bag over his face for his walk-out.[16]
MMA Hour incident
On October 8, 2012, Miller appeared on Ariel Helwani's internet talk show the MMA Hour to promote his upcoming film Here Comes the Boom. Miller gave the interview "in character" as Lucky Patrick, his role from the film, and became upset when Helwani asked him to instead give the interview as Jason Miller. Still in his persona as Lucky Patrick, Miller stormed off of the set in a rage.[17][18][19]
Return To MMA
On October 26, 2013, Miller announced on his official Twitter page that he would return to fighting.[20] Venator FC announced on February 9, 2016, that Miller would face Luke Barnatt at Venator FC III for the promotion's Middleweight championship on May 21.[21] After missing weight by 24 pounds, Miller was pulled from the fight and instead fought Mattia Schiavolin in a Light Heavyweight fight. Miller was submitted by rear naked choke.[22]
In a 2016 interview with Chael Sonnen, Miller said that the loss to Schiavolin helped him to begin to turn his life around from the legal troubles and drug addiction that have plagued him since his retirement in 2012. He also went on to say that he felt a positive energy being back in the cage and would return to fighting, this time as a Light Heavyweight.[23]
Legal issues
In December 2005, Miller was arrested for assault and burglary in Honolulu, Hawaii. Miller was accused of kicking in the door of his girlfriend's apartment and assaulting a man inside. The first-degree burglary charge could have landed Miller in jail for 10 years, however, Miller was later acquitted of the charges.[24]
In August 2011, Miller was arrested in Chatham County, North Carolina. He was charged with simple assault and false imprisonment after his sister accused Miller of assaulting her at a house party.[25]
In August 2012, Miller was arrested in Mission Viejo, California, and charged with trespassing and burglary after an incident at a church. The pastor at the church told law enforcement that Miller had broken into the church and destroyed a variety of pictures, CDs, and books inside. Miller also discharged a fire extinguisher, leaving a residue trail to the second floor where police reportedly found a naked Miller sleeping on a couch. He was taken into custody and later released on $20,000 bond. The charge was dismissed when the pastor, the complaining witness in the case, thought it would be best to give Miller spiritual guidance as opposed to jail time.[26]
Miller was arrested on charges of domestic battery on August 11, 2013, and was released on bail the following day.[27] On August 22, 2013, Miller was once again arrested for domestic battery.[28] In court on August 26, the two charges were combined into one case with two felony counts of corporal injury of a spouse. Miller pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $100,000.[29] On October 9, 2013, Miller was taken into custody for a misdemeanor contempt of court charge for violating a no-contact restraining order by sending a Snapchat message to the alleged victim. He was booked in the early hours of October 10.[30]
Miller was arrested on a felony domestic violence warrant on October 9, 2014, after a five-hour-long standoff with a SWAT team outside his Orange County, California, home. Over the course of the stand-off, Miller gave live updates through his Twitter account.[31]
On March 7, 2015, Miller was arrested outside of a bar in Laguna Beach, California, and charged with battery on a peace officer, unlawful fighting, and resisting arrest. Bar employees reported that Miller was volatile and breaking glass inside the establishment. Video footage from a bystander showed a handcuffed Miller outside the bar, shouting expletives and fighting with police officers.[32]
On October 16, 2015, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance call at Miller's residence involving Miller and two women. After deputies arrived, Miller threw a ceramic tile at them and threatened them with a fire extinguisher and a metal pole. He was tased by police and arrested for assault.[33]
On February 7, 2016, Miller was arrested in Irvine, California, and charged with driving under the influence.[34]
In March 2016, Miller was arrested in Mission Viejo, California. He was charged with burglary and vandalism for breaking into and vandalizing a Lake Forest, California, tattoo shop two months prior.[35]
On July 11, 2016, Miller was arrested in Costa Mesa, California, and charged with two counts of assault and battery after allegedly injuring a security guard and spitting on a police officer at the Saddle Ranch Chop House restaurant. The charges were later dismissed.[36]
In November 2017, Miller pleaded guilty to felony domestic battery. Miller received a suspended sentence of four years in prison and three years of probation.[37]
On October 23, 2018, Miller was arrested on charges of felony vandalism in Orange County after destroying property at his girlfriend's La Habra, California, home. Miller's girlfriend claimed that during an argument, Miller smashed a large marble table, punched holes in the walls, tore down doors, and derailed the home's garage door. He was arrested and held without bail in the Orange County detention center. The felony vandalism charge carried a maximum penalty of eight months in jail, but due to the nature of the incident, prior convictions, and a probation violation, Miller faced up to 23 years in a California state prison.[38][39] While he initially pleaded not guilty, on July 19, 2019, it was reported that Miller had accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to one year in jail with time served being credited.[40] He was released from jail in September 2019.[41]
On August 21, 2020, Miller was arrested and charged with the felonies of first-degree burglary and grand theft auto. He was held in Orange County jail without bail.[42][43] On May 11, 2021, Miller accepted a plea deal in which he would plead guilty to the vandalism charge and the grand theft auto charge would be dismissed. Miller was sentenced to one year of incarceration and two years of probation upon his release.[44][45]
On September 10, 2021, Miller was arrested on felony domestic violence charges in Los Angeles, California. Police were called to Miller's girlfriend's residence in Sherman Oaks in the early hours of September 10 after Miller reportedly assaulted her following a verbal argument. After law enforcement arrived on the scene, Miller locked himself in the bathroom. Officers reported visible marks on the victim's face and neck consistent with an assault. Miller was eventually tased after resisting arrest and taken into custody. Miller was transported to the Los Angeles County Men's Jail, where he was booked on charges of felony domestic battery and resisting arrest. Bail was initially set at $1.385 million, but was later reduced to $150,000.[46][47]
In October 2021, Miller was formally charged with felony assault and battery for an incident that took place at a California bar prior to his September 2021 domestic battery arrest. Miller had been linked to an altercation at a bar, but by the time police arrived, the situation had de-escalated. While the complaining witness initially did not take legal action, the man was hospitalized after the incident, discovered his ribs had been broken, and later chose to press charges.[48]
On August 30, 2023, Miller was arrested in Los Angeles County for allegedly choking a fan that approached Miller at a West Hollywood night club.[49]
Media
In the past, Miller appeared regularly on The Jason Ellis Show on Sirius XM Radio Faction (Sirius XM) XM 52 Sirius 41 on "Mayhem Mondays!!" as both a mixed martial arts expert and comedian, sharing amusing anecdotes and opinions. He returned to the Ellis Show for the first time since his incarceration on October 29, 2019.
Miller also appears briefly in several music videos of Jason Ellis's band TaintStick.
Miller also authors a monthly article for Fight! magazine with humorous articles on serious subjects.
He was the host of the MTV reality series Bully Beatdown in which he challenged bullies to a fight with other professional fighters, and if they accepted, they had the opportunity to win $10,000. If the bully lost, the person he picked on won the $10,000.[54] In the first episode of the show's third season, Miller went on to take on the bully himself, making him lose all $10,000. Miller affectionately called his fans Mayhem Monkeys and himself the leader of the "monkey cult" and had a fan club of numbered monkeys.
Jason Miller appeared on G4's American Ninja Warrior, making it through the qualifying round with a time of 2:55.0. He was later eliminated in the second qualifying round.
He also appears in video games: Electronic Arts' EA Sports MMA and THQ's UFC Undisputed 3.
On July 20, 2010 (episode # 31), November 30, 2010 (episode #58), and September 28, 2011 (episode #143), Jason Miller appeared on the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience.
Miller also appears in Here Comes the Boom, in which he plays the role of "Lucky" Patrick Murray, an MMA fighter who goes in the ring against Kevin James's character, Scott Voss, in the film.
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