Ariel Helwani sits down with former UFC fighter and Strikeforce veteran Jason 'Mayhem' Miller for a wide-ranging conversation covering UFC 313, fighter healthcare controversies, and Miller's personal journey. The episode delivers significant revelations about UFC's historical treatment of injured fighters, with Miller claiming the organization sent fighters cards to obtain pain pills and denied his $120,000 knee surgery as a pre-existing condition despite the injury occurring during his career. Miller provides expert analysis of Conor McGregor's devastating knee injury against Max Holloway, arguing the opening flying kick was a calculated tactical gamble that failed due to McGregor's age and weight. He praises Paddy Pimblett's submission victory and discusses the electric atmosphere at UFC 313, calling Pimblett a newly born star. The conversation takes personal turns as Miller opens up about his infamous Real Sports interview, revealing it was a deliberate cry for help about the system failing fighters that was edited to make him look unstable. He discusses his current life coaching fighters including Danny Ramirez for bare-knuckle boxing, his engagement to his longtime partner who owns kawaii store Japan LA, and how martial arts and stable relationships saved his life. Miller offers candid takes on bare-knuckle fighting, slap competitions, streaming culture, and the need for independent MMA hall of fame recognition. Throughout, he demonstrates the vulnerability and insight of a fighter who has been through the fire and emerged with hard-won wisdom about the sport's treatment of its warriors.
Former UFC fighter Jason 'Mayhem' Miller revealed that the UFC's insurance program sent him a card allowing him to obtain pain medication, which he found unusual. This claim comes amid ongoing discussions about UFC's treatment of fighters and healthcare policies. Miller also stated that his $120,000 knee surgery was denied by UFC as a pre-existing condition.
Read this moment →Jason Miller disclosed that the UFC denied coverage for his $120,000 knee surgery, citing it as a pre-existing condition, despite the injury occurring during his fighting career. This contradicts current UFC claims about covering fighter injuries sustained in the cage. Miller had to pay for the surgery himself during a period when he was also out of work.
Read this moment →Jason Miller offered an insider analysis that Conor McGregor's opening flying sidekick against Max Holloway was a strategic attempt to catch Holloway off-guard with an unexpected move, rather than recklessness. However, Miller noted that at 38 years old with 30 extra pounds compared to his earlier career, the high-amplitude move proved too risky for McGregor's body, resulting in what appears to be a bucket handle tear of the lateral meniscus.
Read this moment →Miller revealed that his infamous Real Sports interview, which showed him in what appeared to be an abandoned property covered in spray paint, was actually a deliberate cry for help regarding UFC not covering his injury and leaving him jobless. He says he owned the house and created the chaotic setting intentionally, but the producers edited it to make him look maximally unstable while ignoring his actual message about the system failing fighters.
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