Mauro Ranallo's only condition for going back to Japan for Rizin FF? No Jerry Millen

When veteran commentator Mauro Ranallo put on a headset and called the action at Rizin FF 5, it wasn’t because he longed to return to Japanese MMA.

In fact, Ranallo’s exit in 2006 from the now-defunct PRIDE FC was followed by an expose of behind-the-scenes mistreatment penned by his broadcast partner, Bas Rutten.

Ranallo largely kept quiet about the man who soured his time overseas, an impressive task for a man who can shred microphones with one scream. But over the years, he made it clear who he held responsible for his departure: Jerry Millen, a former PRIDE executive who resurfaced as a senior vice president for the new Japanese MMA promotion Rizin FF.

When former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko announced his return to Japan for Rizin FF, Ranallo posted, “Too bad the worst person I have ever encountered in MMA is in the cage ! #YouKnowWhoIMean (via Twitter):

When a fan got wistful about his connection to Japanese MMA during a Rizin FF event, he wrote, “No thanks! PRIDE FC > Rizin. Plus biggest loser I have ever come across in my life is involved” (via Twitter):

Ranallo wouldn’t even mention Millen by name when, during an interview with MMAjunkie Radio, he discussed his decision to call Rizin FF 5 alongside his manager and former broadcast partner, Frank Shamrock. But he didn’t have to fill in much for listeners. As much as the job was about doing the work he loves, he said, it was also about getting back at one of his lifelong enemies.

“The only way I would have gone back to Japan and worked for Rizin would be if a certain individual, and anyone who knows me and my career knows who he is – I will never, ever utter his name again, the worst human being I’ve ever come across in my life, let alone combat sports – someone who tried to ruin my career once before,” he said. “When I found out they were actually targeting me specifically because of this individual and their own problems with him, I said, you know what, I won’t do anything for free, but get me on that plane – I’ll be back in Japan calling MMA if it’s because this guy isn’t there and they want to rub it in.”

When asked for a response to Ranallo’s comments, Millen told MMAjunkie, “I’m not going to acknowledge anything he says, because he’s a mentally ill individual, and I don’t want to also be blamed for bullying him.”

After his departure from PRIDE, Ranallo went on to call fights with the now-defunct Strikeforce, Showtime boxing and recently the WWE. He remains a busy guy in the world of commentary. But a return to MMA’s spiritual homeland to serve up a little revenge was a special job.

“For me, mainly, it was going back to right a professional wrong and to flip the biggest bird possible to one of the biggest pieces of (expletive) I’ve ever come across,” he said.

Whether that hatred turns a satisfying one-off into a longterm job remains to be seen. But the longtime MMA, boxing and pro wrestling commentator is optimistic that Rizin FF has a shot at sticking around. As long as Millen doesn’t, it seems, he’ll be open to the idea.

For more on Rizin FF 5, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.