The year is 2008 and Jim Miller (35-17-0) finds himself covered in blood while standing over an unconscious man at his feet. This would mark his first UFC fight and his first performance bonus for his victory over former Shooto middleweight hampion David Baron. Now 41 fights and 15 years later Jim Miller stands atop a pile of broken bodies while holding onto some of the most coveted records in UFC history.
Much of the UFC record book is hogged by fighters who have spent their careers covered in gold belts. When gazing at the complete list of records many of the stats are truly astonishing. Whether it be Anderson Silva’s 16-fight win streak or George St-Pierre’s almost 3 hours of career control time, the resumes these fighters can build over a career can become legendary.
No matter how great these champions are, none can say they have had more wins in the UFC than Jim Miller. In terms of records that an average person would care about “most wins in the UFC” and “most fights in the UFC” would certainly be at the top of the list. Anyone who saw who owned those records would understand that this person truly embodies the heart and soul of what it means to be a fighter.
Despite never winning a championship in the UFC Miller has fought top competition from the very beginning. Whether he won or lost he would bring warfare to whoever stood in his way. This Saturday, June 3rd the man who stands in Miller’s way is lightweight prospect Jared Gordon(19-6-0). Gordon is coming off of a bizarre run of fights that saw him lose a controversial decision to UK star Paddy Pimblet and a No Contest after an accidental headbutt KO from Bobby Green. Before that battle is decided let’s take a deeper look into several moments from the UFC veteran’s career to help understand why he is still going strong today after so many years in the fight business.
Miller Removes Part of Frankie Edgar’s Ear in 2006
Back in 2006, Jim Miller was an undefeated fighter with a record of 5-0 fighting for the New Jersey promotion Reality Fighting. At this point in his career, Miller had already used his wrestling prowess to rack up four submission victories in a row. These wins led him to a Lightweight title shot against future UFC champion Frankie Edgar. Edgar was in a very similar position being a 5-0 undefeated fighter who had just claimed the RF Lightweight championship in his previous fight.
Footage of this fight is hard to come by but it serves as a good time capsule for the landscape of the UFC lightweight division going forward. Interviews and records of the fight make it seem like it was very competitive. Edgar would reveal years later that Jim Miller landed a kick on Edgar that sent a chunk of his ear flying off his head. An impressive feat but unfortunately for Miller, this fight would end in his first loss and a unanimous decision victory for Edgar. This would end up being Edgar’s last fight outside of the UFC and he would debut for the promotion less than three months later.
Miller would stay on the regional circuit for a couple more years. The loss to Edgar did nothing to extinguish Miller’s fire. After taking this defeat in stride Miller would run through 6 more opponents including 4 more submission victories.
It’s not clear whether a victory over Edgar would have propelled Miller into the UFC sooner. What was clear, however, was that Miller was able to face all levels of competition and was willing to take part of their faces with him.
Miller Snaps the Undefeated Streak of a Future Champ…and His Knee
Jumping forward in time Miller is currently in the prime of his UFC career in 2010. The previous year Miller would suffer his first UFC loss to Gray Maynard but wasted no time in bouncing back with 5 consecutive wins. At this stage of his career each of his losses only propelled him into long stretches of success. During this streak, Miller would submit the soon-to-be coach of Team Alpha Male: Duane Ludwig.
This rampage Miller was on would lead him to a clash with another future champion Charles Olivera. Charles Olivera was fairly new to the UFC and only 20 years old. Despite the inexperience, Olivera had put together a very impressive 14-0 record which included 7 submission victories.
The threat of submission scared neither man as they immediately went to work trying to out-wrestle the other. Miller moved forward with confidence from the moment the bell rang. Miller’s confidence was met with several submission attempts by Olivera. The fight would end fairly quickly after Miller reversed a kneebar from Olivera into his own.
From a loss to a future champ to a victory over another!
Miller Sends Cowboy off Into the Sunset
A long career in fighting will leave someone with every type of scar known to man. Wounds of the flesh and the soul will pile up as years go by. Many fighters have a fiery spirit that will allow them to put themselves back together after each battle so they can go to war once again.
Unfortunately, no matter how limitless the willpower of a fighter may be, the body will eventually be able to go no further. In 2022 Donald Cerrone found himself in this predicament.
Cerrone and Miller have both had very expansive careers in the UFC. While Miller has 41 fights in the company Cerrone is not far behind with 38. The pair fought for the first time back in 2014 in a back an forth fight which ended in a KO win for Cerrone. Cerrone was the first fighter to ever KO Miller.
The fight the pair had in 2022 was not as explosive. Miller was quickly able to submit Cerrone in the first round and send him off into a well-earned retirement.
Despite being in the twilight of his career Miller proved he still had what it took to fight in the UFC.
Searching For The Sunset
In his post-fight interview after defeating Cerrone, Miller confidently stated that he was not ready for retirement.
Many fighters from Miller’s era have seen harsh declines which either willingly or forcibly leads to their exit from the UFC.
At the point Cerrone lost to Miller he was 0-7-1 in his last 7 fights. Another recently retired fighter Miller faced was Frankie Edgar. Edgar went 2-5 in his last 7 and retired after 3 brutal KO losses in a row.
While having an overall record of 35-17 Miller has gone 4-3 in his last 7 fights. So even though Miller has been through so many battles in his career it would be unfair to group him with other declining legends in the sport.
Miller’s love of fighting led him to a career as well as a family. Miller met his future wife Angel at the first MMA gym he trained at. Years later the couple now has 4 children that Miller can comfortably provide for due to his dedication to the sport.
Until a fighter comes along that can finally show Jim Miller his sunset he will continue to show other fighter’s theirs.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
