News From Osiris

Earlier this year OX was able to design a rider colorway for our Rider Revolt series. The shoe did quite well, and now that there aren’t any pairs left, Ox gets a little nostalgic and poses with his last pair.

Rattray, Duffel, Diego, and Hill

Photos of Rattray, Duffel, Diego and Hill from their visit to Holland can be found here, and photos from their time in Belgium are here.

A short interview with John Rattray can be found here. Check it out!

Maybe it was the upgraded fight card, or it could have been the free “Halloween” DVD giveaway that brought in 16,754 people to the American Airlines Center for the second HDNet Fights event.

Either way, there was a special energy as the show came out swinging with a card that did not disappoint.

The main event between Jason Miller and Tim Kennedy lived up to all the pre-fight hype.

They came from very different places. Kennedy is a fighter and Army Ranger who lives in a very serious world. Miller, on the other hand, never takes anything seriously. “Mayhem” wore a wrestling mask and a glittering cape to the ring while he tossed candy to the crowd.

Once the fight was underway, both men were all business, engaging in a battle that covered just about every MMA angle possible. The first round went to Kennedy, who didn’t have trouble closing the distance. Kennedy tended to hunch down on his back foot and load up on his punches, and they had no trouble finding Miller’s face, turning his head at times.

While it was a fairly even fight going back-and-forth for all three rounds, Miller took over in the second after opening up a major cut on the bridge of Kennedy’s nose. Twice the fight was stopped to look at the bloody injury, but Kennedy was adamant about continuing and the doctor agreed he was OK.

Kennedy tried for several submissions, but “Mayhem” was always able to sneak out and deliver damaging blows, even throwing out a crowd-pleasing Mongolian chop that landed flush on Kennedy’s face. Miller finished strong, taking over in the final moments to win the fight by unanimous decision.

“I just play a tough guy on TV,” Miller said afterward. “Kennedy is a real American hero.”

Kennedy knew he would have his hands full with Miller. “I knew he was tough,” he said. “I knew he was going to be wiry, squirmy, irritating and he definitely did all those things.”

Kennedy made no excuses and thought that he should have been more aggressive. “I was pretty sure I was going to destroy him,” he said. “I trained so that I could do that, so I have nothing to say but phenomenal job to Jason Miller.”

Miller called it a “tough fight” but also added that he has a good record against fighting Army guys, now that he can beat up his dad. Earlier Miller was asked whom he would like to fight next, and he responded by saying that he wanted to fight Mark Cuban for “wallets,” meaning that the winner gets what’s in the other’s pocket. Clearly he had enjoyed himself fighting for HDNet Fights.

Rd. 1 After Mayhem enters the ring in a cape and mask, Michael Buffer makes the introductions for the main event. The fighters come to the middle of the ring for the staredown, and Miller smiles as the rules are explained. They touch up and Miller throws a high kick that is caught by Kennedy. They hit the mat and Kennedy presses Miller against the fence. Kennedy throws an illegal elbow to the face and the ref breaks the action. They resume standing and Miller lands a good right hand. Kennedy has a small trickle of blood on his forehead. Miller lands a hard leg kick that goes unchecked by Kennedy. They tie up against the ropes and Kennedy lands a knee to the face while working double underhooks. He switches to a single leg but cannot take him down. Kennedy catches another leg kick and goes to side control. Miller turns to his back after fierce ground and pound, but Kennedy can not secure the rear naked choke before the round ends.

Rd. 2 They touch gloves again and Kennedy closes for a double leg but Miller sprawls. A scramble ensues and hits the mat, with Kennedy again on Miller’s back. Miller defends the rear naked choke and rolls into Kennedy’s guard. Miller throws hard body punches and stands, then comes down with a hard elbow. Miller escapes a weak armbar attempt and passes to half guard. Kennedy stands and transitions from a single to double leg and Miller underhooks. They hit the mat and Mayhem is again in half guard. Kennedy is cut across the bridge of the nose and the referee stops the action. It appears it could possibly be broken, but the fight continues. Miller throws a knee to the side of the head from the clinch and the round ends.

Rd. 3 The last round starts with a body kick by Miller and they clinch. They hit the mat and Kennedy has half guard with his back against the cage. Miller stands and falls back into a butterfly guard by Kennedy. Kennedy attempts a heel hook which is mocked by Miller, who then easily pulls out and continues pummelling Kennedy. The referee again stops the action to check the worsening cut on Kennedy’s nose. The fight continues with 2:30 remaining. Miller is now stalking and shoots a single leg. Kennedy wizzers and gains side control, and then attempts an armbar that makes Miller grimace, but he escapes. Miller is now in Kennedy’s guard, and opens Kennedy’s cut again, blood flowing heavily into his eyes. In side mount Miller is now punishing Kennedy with ground and pound as Kennedy holds on and survives the round.

The judges rule unanimously for Jason “Mayhem” Miller, all scoring the fight 29-28.