Has Jason Miller Crossed the Line? "Mayhem" Calls Nick Diaz Autistic in New Interview
By: Oliver Saenz Posted On: November 6, 2010 at 9:13am
If there was ever a Pound-for-Pound list of the most entertaining talkers currently fighting in MMA, you’d have to figure that Jason Miller would be at the top fighting it out for first place with Chael Sonnen. Has “Mayhem” had a boring interview… ever? Love him or hate him, Jason Miller knows how to sell fights and talk smack. And he’s launched his latest verbal tirade against arch-rival and current Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz. But did Miller cross the line in this latest barrage? Here are all the details.
In talking to Fight Hype, Miller said the following: “The latest is www.dontbescaredhomie.com . It’s a brand new website to let everyone know that somebody is scared and it ain’t me… He makes me want to donate to an Asperger Autism Charity. He makes me want to raise awareness about Autism because something is off about him; maybe it’s just all of the weed, I don’t know.”
I love how Jason Miller always seems more than willing to one-up anyone who tries to pick a fight with him. Jump him on national television (Diaz was involved in the infamous Strikeforce: “Nashville” brawl) and he’ll campaign for a fight with you openly and every chance he gets. Post your own verbal tirade against him online and he’ll launch an entire website against you. I shudder to think what Jason Miller will do next in order to up the ante, but I also can’t wait to see just how crazy this rivalry can get.
However, the question must be asked: did he really have to play the “Autism” card? That’s going a bit low even by Mayhem’s standards. Let’s not forget, UFC President Dana White landed himself in a huge amount of controversy (even for Dana White!) when he posted a video railing on Loretta Hunt, one of the main journalists behind the massive Sherdog.com website, and used several derogatory terms for homosexuals numerous times during his fiery, obscenity-filled tirade. The video caused such a backlash that it was pulled from YouTube while White ultimately had to issue an apology to the gay community.
I’m not suggesting that what Mayhem did was similar, it’s not even close. But it’s in the same ballpark. Calling someone an idiot is fine. Insinuating that someone has autism, when you clearly mean to make “autistic” synonymous with idiocy… that’s incredibly insensitive. Jason Miller is brash, talkative, and childish, some would even call him arrogant. Whether or not he went too far in insinuating that Diaz is so stupid that he must have autism… that’s open to debate. But if you want my opinion, if Miller didn’t “go too far”, he certainly came within shouting distance.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking for Miller to keep it squeaky-clean. This rivalry has been dirty from the start, and I think it’s going to get even dirtier before this fight finally happens. All I’m asking is for Mayhem to keep it clean on this particular subject. There’s a way to revel in your opponent’s mental deficiencies without comparing him to the mentally handicapped. Because doing just that makes you look like the idiot instead of him, and it also makes you look like an incredibly insensitive tool. So play nice, Jason Miller. I never thought I’d ever say that, but here we are and there it is.
And what about you, fans and friends? What do you make of Miller’s recent comments?
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Comments
Miller is a disrepectful ***HOLE! Not only to Diaz but mainly to those who suffer from autism and their families. He’s pathetic!!!!
I just checked out the site http://dontbescaredhomie.com and there is not a single quote about autism but it’s a funny line. The Diaz brothers have got to be the most autistic MMA fighters in the world. Good thing they only check for PED’s and not IQ because those two wouldn’t be able to fight.
Mayhem is showing just how ignorant he is. Just because Nick doesn’t look into the camera and make faces like Mayhem that means he’s “wierd” or “off.” Would fist pumping or being piss drunk in the club be better in Mayhem’s opinion? It’s a shame that those types of behaviors are socially acceptable to so many but being less sociallable or having a different personalty is so taboo. So what if Nick did have autism. It doesn’t make him less of a person.
I have a niece with autism and she takes karate lessons. Physical activity does not come easy to her or most children with autism. I would be proud to see her become as skilled in mixed martial arts as Nick Diaz. I am not saying I want her to fight in a cage, but it would be great if she developed his physical conditioning and capabilities.
Diaz probly does have autism and i hope Mayhem kicks the S*** out of that wanna be ganster. Diaz already ruined his career with the UFC by getting into too many fights when he wasn’t supposed to. And maybe Strikeforce will see that if he fights a real fighter like Mayhem he is not Champion material.
Blah, Blah, Blah! Much ado about nothing. The PC card gets played everyday and its B.S. Everybody wants to be a victim these days! Enough already… Harden the “F” up!
I’m Jason Miller’s biggest fan and i think he’s the best thing ever, but the comment was a little incencitive…he prob didnt mean for it to be llike it sounded. Im still his biggest fan and I think he’s brilliant
I Wonder how Mayhem would beat Diaz. He probably wouldn’t Knock him out but i bet that Mayhem could submit him. I hope it is a choke. Mayhem would choke his ass out and then Diaz would shut up. He is running scared from Mayhem though so the fight will probably never happen. He is saying that he is a full time 170 pound when he fought 2 out of his last 3 fights at 183. He wants Mayhem to drop to 170 a weight that he has not been at since his time in the UFC. Diaz is a scared little girl running away.
MAYHEM! MAYHEM! MAYHEM! I love this guy! All you politicaly correct pansies should look for a different sport. This is mma! Not golf, thrash talk is part of the game. Who cares if someone calls another a autistic moron! LETS GET IT ON!
Look I’m an MMA fan and a mom of a son w/ Autism. I understand the aspect of trash talking and that the guys are just trying to one up each other. However, this is a bit much. To insinuate that someone w/ autism is less intelligent or a moron is just the wrong terminology all together! What this boils down to is someone unaware of what autism is and using it entirely in the wrong context. I agree people need to calm down on the PC card, but on the flip side, people need to educate themselves on what is a social/neurological disorder rather than trying to go for the funny! After all, that is what Mayhem is about, the laugh and the “oh no he didn’t” response.
BTW to say Diaz is Autistic is an insult to Autistics’! Mayhem needed to show a little more imagination when trash talking on this occasion.