Sunday Morning Gospel: Strikeforce and Cesear Gracie Fight Camp a Disgrace
By: Reverend Turk Vangel Posted On: April 18, 2010 at 11:43amLast night I was unfortunate enough to watch mixed martial arts (MMA) take a step back, a ten year step back. Strikeforce allowed the members of the Cesar Gracie camp to put a beating on a man for simply asking for a rematch live on national television.
After Fighters.com second-ranked and Strikeforce welterweight champion Jake Shields (25-4-1) won a lopsided unanimous decision victory over “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (25-8) the typical post-fight interview was about to begin.
The always colorful “Mayhem” Jason Miller (23-6) entered the cage to call out the champion, asking for a rematch. These two fought back in November of 2009 at the Fedor versus Rogers fight where Shields won by decision in a fight many thought was a snooze-fest.
Miller, known for his crazy ring walks and in general for being quite goofy, stepped up and stole some of Jake’s spotlight by asking when he was going to get his rematch. This is where all hell broke loose starting with “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez (18-2) trying to push Mayhem out of the views of the camera.
Jake Shields then decided it would be a good idea to push Miller and of course there can’t be a brawl inside the cage without Nick and Nate Diaz involved. Miller ended up being down on the ground and was kicked multiple times while being held there. All of this airing live on CBS as moronic Gus Johnson tells the audience “Sometimes these things happen in MMA”.
Gus Johnson is an ill-informed person who allowed the first-time viewers to believe that this is something that is typical in the sport of MMA. Nothing could be further from the truth.
What happened inside that cage after the licensed and regulated fights took place was paramount to a gang attack. It is felonious assault and as such those involved should have been arrested and charged. If you, a fan of MMA, got in the cage and started throwing punches and kicks to someone you can bet you would have been arrested on the spot.
Many are putting the blame on the shoulders of Jason Miller and I feel that this could not be further from the truth. Did Matt Hughes and his camp jump Georges St. Pierre after he entered the cage and said he was not impressed by Matt? So who is to blame for this event?
Strikeforce is the number one culprit here for a couple of reasons. No one actually knows if they asked, told, or gave the OK for Mayhem to enter the cage but regardless it is their job to control who can and can’t enter the cage at all times. So the bottom line is they allowed Miller inside the cage in one fashion or another. How did they think that was goinjg to turn out when you have the Diaz brothers in there? They are known for their antics and were involved in another post-fight brawl inside the cage in the during the EliteXC days.
Nate and Nick Diaz are also to blame for this event. After the cage was cleared MMA Fanhouse reporter Ariel Helwani talked to Nick Diaz who had the following to say, “I apologize, it wasn’t my fault”. Very interesting apology Nick. Nick said that he had his partners back and would expect his corner to have his back if he had just fought. This is an error in thinking because there should be no need for anyone to have someone’s back post-fight, hence the term post-fight.
The Diaz Brothers needed to realize that at that time there friend and training partner had just successfully defended his title against a man many thought would KO him in the first round. Not only that but they were live on network television as people were tuning in to catch the local news. What they found instead was the a brawl inside a cage which did nothing but solidify the opinion that MMA is brutal and nothing more than a bunch of thug bar brawlers.
Most of the MMA critics could not be more wrong when they discuss the sport but the actions of a few last night loaded the near empty guns of those critics. They now have video evidence of the fact that MMA fighters are nothing more than glorified thugs and gangsters.
Mixed Martial Arts has always been about respect and honor. Respect for you opponent and the arts as well. Mayhem Miller may have shown Shields little respect by stealing the spotlight but what transpired afterward was the complete opposite of what the sport is all about. This was not the streets of Stockton, California but rather inside the cage in Nashville, Tennessee.
The fans of MMA deserve more than they got last night and sadly, the sport took a huge step backwards. I know Dana White was happy by what he saw but he has to realize that it hurt Strikeforce but will also have an effect on all of MMA.
After Fighters.com second-ranked and Strikeforce welterweight champion
Jake Shields (25-4-1) won a lopsided unanimous decision victory over “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (25-8) the typical post-fight interview was about to begin.
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Comments
I’m glad someone is calling it like it is. It was a disgrace.
Felonious assault….HAHAHAHAHA!!! What a joke Turk!
Diaz Bros rule MMA…..the sooner people realize this shit…the better off and less whining all of you will be doing!!!! WAR DIAZ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jason Miller “Mayhem” shat all over the scene, nearly inciting a riot, sneaking up behind Jake Shields to shout in his ear and push his back and ribs just after a long drawn out fight. I don’t know where you learned about taking responsibility– but it’s clear to me Jason Miller “Mayhem” Needs to be banned for life from this sport. Who knows what Strikeforce did or did not do in advance– perhaps it appeared to themn that Jason was a pro and not a fan that belonged there? And the Gracie trained camp are to be commended for taking down and subduing a dangerous terrorist on the field.
What? What are you saying? Are you serious? This is nothing but Pro Wrestling! It’s a show!!! Get over it! Be serious…. watch some kind of real sport!!!!
@King Kurtis
King Kurtis absolutely loves cock. Loves it. Can’t get enough cock in his mouth. And Turk, get an editor. Your grammar’s almost as much of a disgrace as King Kurtis’ cock fetish.
Yes, I know it isn’t pro wrestling! I meant to say “Like Pro Wrestling” You know that, so don’t make that an issue, cause it isn’t the issue… ” FAKE ” is the issue…
Miller should have stayed out of the ring. He is a low-life for trying to steal Shield’s well deserved/earned spotlight. I don’t think MMA or the different organization’s who host bouts still need to prove to anyone that this is a great sport. The detractor’s are always going to find excuses to discount the sport.(Boxing was in there sights until MMA) And while it was unfortunate that what happened, happened, I challenge you to find me a sport where there hasn’t been a brawl after, or even during play. Furthermore Rev, what has the streets of Stockton have to do with anything? Sounds like, dare I say racist comment, seeing as it’s a big Latino population. And so now as you say, the detractors are right, MMA is nothing but thugs.You sir, are a douche.
First of all, the Diaz brothers and Gilbert Melendez started the fight. You can see where Jake Shields taps Mayhem on the stomach, and ask him, ‘did you come to call me out??’. That’s when Mayhem asked if he was gonna get a rematch, and that’s when he first got shoved, and that’s what caused Jake to react, before he was lifted like a toddler and carried away to safety. You have to be aware of who you let in the cage, that being said, the brawl at the end was the best fight of the night, let’s go over some ground rules on post-fight, in-ring interviews. First, if you plan on setting up a rematch, make sure both parties are ok with being in the cage after the fight, you dont just bring someone in there. Second, if there is no previous agreement, you make sure all access to the cage is sealed, and guarded. It wasn’t hard to miss Mayhem, especailly when the guy has bright red hair, come on Strikeforce. I think this goes to show they really aren’t ready for primetime as a promotion goes, they were doing good for a while, but now, all the new CBS audience got to see was a bunch of knuckleheads who will fight at the drop of a hat. All the negative stereotypes that the UFC has tried to get rid, might just have died in one fell swoop thanks to Strikeforce.
Jason Miller “Mayhem” incited a riot, sneaking up behind Jake Shields to shout in his ear and push his back and ribs just after a long drawn out fight. I don’t know where you learned about taking responsibility– but it’s clear to me Jason Miller “Mayhem” needs to be banned for life from this sport. Who knows what Strikeforce did or did not do in advance– perhaps it appeared to them that Jason was a pro with an ID on someone’s team and not just a fan? And the Gracie trained camp may seem like simple boneheads, but they are to be commended for taking down a rouge terrorist on the field. When he wasn’t prepared, Houdini died from a sucker punch to the gut from a crazed fan– I don’t blame the crew one bit for subduing this flailing nutjob.
yeah the diaz brothers are douche bags. same with gilbert melendez and all of the cesar gracie camp for that matter. miller was smiling and laughing when he made his comment, he wasn’t trying to be a dick, but the cesar gracie camp apparently takes everything up the butt, and the diaz bros arent even that great of fighters. if i remember correctly, diego sanchez, who isnt even a champ, put a major ass whooping on nick diaz
omg there was a fight…at a fight? stop crying you little pussies
King Kurtis, probably the stupidest post Ive ever read after a well written, thruthful article, based off of facts and containing no speculation. The Diaz bothers are a discrage to MMA, and are tarnishing the reputation of the Cesar Gracie Camp.
Nate Diaz has 3 loses in his last 5 fights, far from impressive, and makes me wonder why UFC hasnt cut him yet. On top of his sub par attitude and lack of respect, he posses nothing that will ever make his great at mma.
Nick won a vacant belt off of a fighter who has no notable wins against any top level opponents, and Nick only has recent wins over wash up Frank Shamrock ( 1 win in past 4 years of mma) and not worthy opponent Scott Smith ( best opponent to date of Diaz fight = Pete Sell).
Nate Diaz sucks and Nick Diaz only fights guys who arent even close to his level of fighting ability. Lets see Him fight one of the other top 10 in his weight class, oh wait he cant, cause he cant get into the UFC.
“Many are putting the blame on the shoulders of Jason Miller and I feel that this could not be further from the truth.”
Despite that sentence just not sounding right, it’s wrong. The blame absolutely belongs on Miller. He shouldn’t have been in there in the first place, no one in Coker’s staff wanted him in there, and if he hadn’t gone in there, nothing would have gone awry.
That’s not to say others involved should be fined/suspended for their actions. And it’s not to say the Coker’s staff should have done a better job at regulating who was allowed in the cage. But ultimately, Miller is an instigator. He instigated this. And much of the blame belongs on his shoulders.
Also, I think this article is poorly written and is more than a little sensationalist. While this is certainly a black eye for MMA, it isn’t the 10-year step back end of the world you are making it out to be.
I can not agree more. Miller walked up and only made a statement. They were both smiles, he did nothing wrong. It was the idiot Diaz brothers AGAIN! They need to go, and I hope the UFC unloads their half of the Diaz crew. UFC has been a class act, and that is why these idiots are not in the UFC. Dana White must be sick after all of the time and energy he has spent tryng to show people that MMA is nothing like Don King and boxing. Thank God!
Miller got what was coming to him. To make an analogy, remember when Kanye West got in Taylor Swifts spotlight. Everyone hated it. People were saying they would have pushed Kanye off stage, they would have punched him, etc… Isn’t this basically the same thing? Jake won a 5 round battle and it was his time to shine and then Miller comes in with his smartass goofy little smiles and tries to ruin the moment, I’m glad he got swarmed and kicked on the ground from Nate. I hate when that sh*t happens in the UFC as well. It’s disrespectful. So this f*ck this author of this article. Miller’s a little punk that got what he deserved.
You guys are idiots. Everyone knows that Jason “Mayhem” Miller is an entertainer. How else would he get the “Bully Beat Down job? He was smart enough to ask for a championship fight when and where champ couldn’t say no. All he was trying to do was hype up a rematch while the champ was more worried about his next big check probably with the UFC. No one in their right mind thought he came into the cage to fight Shields. Now we have fighters that really hate each other! The champ is going to lose credibility if he doesn’t sign a rematch. And even if he doesn’t sign a rematch someone in his camp is sure to fight Jason Miller in an upcoming event. Shit! This could even lead to badblood and a war of words between camps. What else do you want?!!
Miller is disrespectful. Let the matchmakers/promoters decide who should fight who. Who fights who should not be dictated by one fighter calling out another fighter. That’s stupid and immature. It’s about who deserves the shot. That alone, at least to me, is worth the entertainment value.
@Nonbias
thanks for saying it like it is. although mma is a sport it is still entertainment. what mayhem did may have been a little disrespectful but that does not mean that 5-10 fighters should attack him. hes selling the next fight with him interrupting and asking for a rematch. what he did was not wrong and the people who attacked him should be embarrassed. It was very unprofessional. The diazs are tough dudes but they have to realize they are professional athletes now and should act like it. Those two have the biggest chip on their shoulders. its like they think the world is out to get them. I think these people should be fined by the company. talking sh*t in the fight game has been part of it ever since it existed and this should not have resulted in a attack!
as unfortunate as this episode is events such as this happen in sports… all sports. to single out mma and call it a sport of thugs is ridiculous.
didn’t a college football player from oregon punch a player from boise state as well as some fans after a game?
don’t fights between teams break out on soccer fields all over the world? i can’t tell you how many times i’ve seen soccer players throw punches at the referee after a game.
didn’t rick fox of the lakers wait for doug christie of the sacramento kings in the hallway after a game to fight him? which was shown on television.
boxers call out other boxers all the time even in the ring during the post fight interview. things like this happen in sports. mma is no different. to try and brand mma as a sport of thugs for the actions after the nashville fight is the same as trying to brand all sport athletes as thugs for unfortunate actions that we’ve all seen.
mma isn’t going anywhere. people will continue to watch it because people have enjoyed watching two human beings battle each other throughout history. i can’t wait til the faber v. aldo mma fight next week.
You people don’t get it, do you? It’s the same as Pro Wrestling …. just entertainment. IT IS A SHOW!!!!! Finely produced and directed! To do exactly as you are doing. IE fighting amongst yourselves! It is scripted and rehearsed, even to the other “fighters” getting into it… Really, if you enjoy it, great! Watch it and enjoy. But know it is an imaginary flight of fancy to purly to entertain….
@ dougjobe
“Finely produced and directed” maybe Strikeforce, but not UFC.
@Val D
I agree. I think Turk is the one un-informed, both Scott Coker and Dana White put the blame on Mayhem. As White said “That F**king clown went uninvited into the cage and shoved his way into Shields interview and started a fight. Whit the F*ck did he think would happen ?”
There is a long established way these things go down, it is there to avoid exactly this.
MILLER IS NOT EVEN NEXT IN LINE FOR A SHOT AT THE BELT…HE IS JUST AN ENERGY THIEF!!!
This time he messed with the HOLE MMA COMMUNITY.
A fight at a fight nothing more nothing less. and it wasnt while or after jake shields interview. actually jake was robbed of his interview by an annoying attention grabber who never really made a name for himself aside from being on another totally staged mtv bully beatdown B.S. Mayhem is soo fake if thats the kind of stuff he wants to do than he should go wwe with all those douche bags. and when st. pierre went in to tell matt hughes that he wasnt impressed that obviously was staged and it was not st. pierres idea hes not that kind of guy. but when the guy that signs you paycheck tells you to do sumthing you do it. which i guess may be what happend in this case but a**hole miller eh hem… mayhem miller could have at least let jake talk before inciting a riot. by the way anyone who doubts the diaz brothers should tell them face to face instead of acting tough with the keyboard. oh yea that would never happen because you are all pussies that would never say that kind of stuff in “real life” the only time anyone says anything bad about the diaz bros. is with there keyboards or a mic. not to nick or nates faces. id like to see the what would happen to you nerds if you would. hahahaha
First off the fight in the ring was way out of hand and unnecessary it is not the first time a competitor enters the ring after the fight to ask for a rematch its part of being a fighter and competitor and jason miller happens to be known for being articulate in his ways of doing things, and i believe him and shields are like buddies and competitors since they have fought before.
The problem comes from the Diaz brothers and others in the ring also Who need to realize that sometimes stuff does not involve you.
He did not ask diaz for a rematch or a fight HE ASKED JAMES FREAKINS SHIELDS let shields handle it wich he was gonna. BUT Diaz and Melendez tought they were bouncers and miller needed to be bounced and bully beatdowned LOL.
Seriously do some of these guys need to be more like football players in the ring or field be a BEAST BE THE BEST BE AN ANIMAL AND TEAR UP THE COMPETITION but out of the fight or game aspect be a HUMAN BEING be approchable. DONT BE A DICK ALL THE TIME DIAZ AND MELENDEZ.
Jake shield could have cleary handled the situation.
Diaz brothers you guys are great fighters and i have watched UFC for nate and nick fight some serious fights but your attitude of fuck the world and ill fuck anyone up no matter what really is tiresome and makes you guys look like total assholes. As an MMA your antics are wearing thin on me and im really starting to question wether or not i still like you guys as fighters.
Hopefully next time you learn to check yourself and figure out you dont have to fix or awnser everything with your fist or attitude.
Good luck with that.