After rising to fame through Strikeforce, Jason “Mayhem” Miller is once again a part] of the UFC roster. The former middleweight title contender will stand across the Octagon from Aaron Simpson at UFC 132 on July 2nd.
Known for his outgoing personality and habit of saying whatever he is thinking] Miller will be a welcome addition to the UFC fold. In 2005 he lost via unanimous decision to Georges St. Pierre, and that was his only appearance for the organization to date. Since that time he has had a successful career at 185 pounds, notching wins against Robbie Lawler, Tim Kennedy, and Kazushi Sakuraba. Miller challenged for the Strikeforce middleweight title in 2009, but he was defeated by Jake Shields.
It is that rivalry with Shields and the Cesar Gracie fight team that sparked off a brawl on live network television in April 2010. Miller interjected during Shields’s post fight interview, which led to shoving and punches being thrown; all the while, viewers at home watched the proceedings unfold. At that point word was spread that Miller would fight Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz, but a bout was never organized.
Miller was last due to appear in the Strikeforce hexagon in a rematch against Tim Kennedy on March 5th, but that bout was pulled. Instead, Miller ended up signing a multi-fight deal to return to the UFC.
However a re-introduction bout against Aaron Simpson is a tough assignment for Miller. “A-Train” is a powerful wrestler with the ability to take down nearly anyone in the 185 pound weight class. At 8-2 his resume includes wins over Tom Lawlor, Ed Herman, and Mario Miranda.
I expect to see Miller welcomed back into the UFC organization with open arms. Over the years he has garnered a cult following for his eccentric ring entrances, his energetic interviews, and his current stint hosting the popular MTV series “Bully Beatdown.” Miller will say whatever is needed to raise attention, and that type of personality is subtly rewarded within the UFC. One can only imagine the anger that Miller would be able to elicit from Michael Bisping, or the back and forth antics that he and Chael Sonnen would generate whenever microphones are placed in front of their faces.
Jason Miller should make an impact in the UFC middleweight division. I can see him rising to near contender status, however I wonder how he would do against the upper echelon of the weight class. Now that Zuffa is once again writing his paychecks, we may not have long until we find out.
