Posted on: Saturday, October 16, 2004

There'll be 'mayhem' at water park

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The sinister smile on Jason Miller's face says it all.

His bottom row of teeth is platinum-plated. On six of the front teeth are the letters MAYHEM, so that every time he smiles or grimaces, people are reminded of his nickname — and his demeanor.

"I'm all about mayhem," he said. "People call me crazy, but that's just how I am."

Miller, who is from Atlanta but trains in Las Vegas, will take on Kalihi's Ron Jhun tomorrow in the main event of the Super Brawl 37 mixed martial arts card. For the first time, Super Brawl is being staged at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.

Gates open at 5 p.m., and the first of 13 bouts is scheduled to begin at 7. Tickets range from $20 to $75.

Miller (9-3-0) and Jhun (22-12-2) are fighting for the vacant 170-pound championship in the Super Brawl organization.

Miller has already created his share of mayhem in previous Super Brawl appearances.

He won an undercard bout in Super Brawl 31, and immediately challenged Hawai'i crowd favorite Egan Inoue to a match.

In Super Brawl 32, he defeated Inoue and bragged about it afterward.

"I want to take over this island," said Miller, 23. "It's a personal goal of mine to make a name for myself here. That's why this is so big. It's a chance for me to finally get a belt."

Jhun has already found a new nickname for Miller.

"Punk," said Jhun, 34. "I want to knock him out. He's talking a lot of trash, getting under my skin."

Jhun, who is nicknamed "The Machine Gun," trains out of 808 Fight Factory in Waipahu, and hundreds of his supporters are expected to attend tonight.

"He beat Egan so it's like the reputation of Hawai'i is on the line," Jhun said. "I want this one; not just for me, but for Hawai'i."

Jhun has become one of Hawai'i's most active fighters, and 10 victories in previous Super Brawl events helped earn him a bout in the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship at Las Vegas in August. He lost that bout to Chris Lytle, but was still impressive enough to earn tonight's title bout.

"I'm not treating this any different from the others," Jhun said. "They're all important to me."

Both Jhun and Miller admitted that some of the trash-talking has been exaggerated this week.

"I know how tough he is," Miller said. "I can't be all crazy in the ring or I'll lose. I know what I have to do."

Jhun said: "Once the bell goes off, the talking stops. I make like I'm all (upset) right now, but I'll be focused in the ring."

Kai Kamaka, Jhun's teammate at 808 Fight Factory, will take on Tony Espitia of Kona Boxing in the semi-main event.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.