Miller believes Conor McGregor's flying kick was tactical gamble that backfired
"I think that was a Clever move, uh, actually. If Max studied tape, he'd never done that one, you know what I mean? Now, it was a gamble. Did it pay off? Not for Conor McGregor."
About this episode
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.
Key takeaways
- Jason Miller claims UFC historically sent fighters cards to obtain pain medication and denied his $120,000 knee surgery coverage citing pre-existing conditions
- Miller analyzes Conor McGregor's flying kick as a tactical gamble undermined by age and extra weight, predicting bucket handle meniscus tear
- Miller reveals his chaotic Real Sports interview was a deliberately staged cry for help about UFC abandoning injured fighters that was edited for maximum shock value
- Miller praises Paddy Pimblett as a newly born star after his submission victory over Renato Moicano, calling the performance and celebration electric
- Miller is now engaged to longtime partner, coaches fighters including Danny Ramirez for bare-knuckle debut, and credits martial arts with saving his life
- Miller attended UFC 313 live and describes Max Holloway showing immediate mercy when recognizing Conor's locked knee injury as godly sportsmanship
- Miller advocates for independent MMA Hall of Fame to recognize careers outside UFC like Fedor Emelianenko and his own Strikeforce run