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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, April 16, 2009

'Mayhem' willing to bring bad attitude

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Jason Miller

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kala Kolohe Hose

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KINGDOM MMA

WHO: Kala Kolohe Hose vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller, plus 10 other bouts

WHERE: Blaisdell Center Arena

WHEN: Saturday,

7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $15, $39, $55, $75 or $150

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Jason "Mayhem" Miller does not want to reveal what his entry outfit and music will be for Saturday's main event of the inaugural Kingdom MMA show at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

Under the circumstances, he may as well come out with a black hat.

In a contrast of personalities and styles, Miller will face Wai'anae's Kala Kolohe Hose for the Kingdom organization's middleweight (185 pounds) championship.

"I'm definitely feeling a bad guy vibe for this one," Miller said. "But that's fine with me. You know why? It makes for good crowds and exciting fights. So if I have to be the bad guy for this one, fine. I've been the bad guy before and turned into the good guy by the end of the night."

Miller is the brash, outspoken one, known for his submission skills in the ring. He was a crowd favorite in Hawai'i several years ago, but spent the past few years training and working in Los Angeles.

Most recently, he has become nationally recognized as the host of "Bully Beatdown" — a reality show that is one of the top-rated programs on MTV.

"I know I have fans out here, too," Miller said. "But, for the last time, I never turned my back on Hawai'i. I just had some things to do on the Mainland, that's all. I know I have to try and win some fans back again, and that's what I plan on doing."

Miller has a professional record of 21-6, including 9-1 in bouts in Hawai'i.

During the height of the Mayhem craze in Hawai'i — in 2005 and '06 — he was the middleweight champion of the Icon Sport organization and delighted crowds with his animated antics in and out of the ring.

Saturday will be his first appearance in Hawai'i since March 2007, and he said his entry to the ring will bring back memories.

"It'll be up to the Mayhem standards, trust me," he said.

Hose, on the other hand, is the quiet family man who prefers to speak loud and clear with his fists.

Hose has a professional record of 7-2, and was the last middleweight champion of the Icon Sport organization. All seven of his victories have come via knockout.

"I know how dangerous Jason is on the ground, so I have to avoid that," Hose said. "Hopefully, I can keep the fight standing up."

While Miller was busy filming a hit television show, Hose spent much of his recent months changing diapers and heating up milk.

Hose's wife gave birth to their second daughter in January.

"My wife has helped me out big time for this," Hose said. "She's been taking care of the baby most of the time so that I can train and focus on the fight. I help out when I can, but I know that I need to be at my best for this fight."

"Big John" McCarthy, the original referee from the UFC organization, will be the referee for Saturday's main event.

"He's the most experienced mixed martial arts ref out there, so you know he's going to make good decisions," Miller said. "It'll be an honor to have 'Big John' in the ring for this one."

Saturday's event will be the first professional MMA card at the Blaisdell Arena since last August.

"I think this main event will bring the excitement of MMA back to Hawai'i," Kingdom president T. Jay Thompson said.

Thompson said if Saturday's show fares well, he will put on another major event on Aug. 29.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.