At 42 years old, Jim Miller continues to raise his legacy, adding to his UFC win record with a first-round submission of Jared Gordon during the UFC 328 prelims.
Miller came right after Gordon with his striking, landing with quite a few heavy punches early. Gordon tried to pick up momentum by catching a kick from Miller, using it to execute a takedown.
Miller, however, was ready, and he quickly locked up a guillotine choke, scoring the first-round submission.
Jim Miller is truly an anomaly. Never champ. Rarely top 15. But guy has withstood time and has seen champs rise and fizzle into nothing. Absolutely incredible #UFC328
· Most wins in UFC history (28) · Most wins at 155 (25) · Most bouts (47) · Most bouts at LW (44) · Second most finishes in UFC history (20; Charles Oliveira — 21) · Most finishes in UFC LW history (18) · Most fight time in UFC LW history (7:09:00)
UFC lightweight Jim Miller may have enjoyed a record-breaking career in mixed martial arts, but he still says he suffers from “imposter syndrome” at times.
That outing extended Miller’s lead in a number of UFC records, including most wins (27), most fights (45), and most first-round finishes.
But despite a storied tenure in the sport and on its biggest stage, “A-10” doesn’t always feel as though he belongs.
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Miller was candid about that issue. While his status would no doubt lend itself to the freedom to do so, the fan favorite admitted he often struggles when it comes to making requests such as arena appearances instead of Apex fights.
“I still feel like I deal with a little bit of imposter syndrome,” Miller said. “It’s hard for me to even say that stuff. My job is to fight, and that’s what I do. I’m not a matchmaker. I’m not any of that stuff. I’m a fighter, so that’s what I focus my time on.
“I know that I am well-respected and I appreciate the hell out of that, and some of the conversations that I have with guys like Sean Shelby or (Joe) Rogan, I do feel that I’ve earned their respect,” Miller continued. “I still have difficulty making those callouts, like saying, ‘Hey, no more Apex cards for me. Jim always wants the big cards – only numbered events at this point.’ That’s a tough one for me.”
Miller did, however, go out of his way to make a rare callout for his next fight.
The ageless wonder that is Jim Miller earned his 27th win inside the Octagon at UFC 309, where he submitted Damon Jackson on the preliminary card.
The record holder for the most fights and victories in UFC history extended both stats after he caught his opponent in a vintage Miller guillotine choke for the first-round finish.
The 21st submission win of his career saw him bounce back from a one-sided loss to Bobby Green at UFC 300 this past April, and it doesn’t look like he is going anywhere just yet. He told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview that at 41 years old, he’s still got a few more left in him while also pointing out his incredible record for finishing fights at the highest level.
Jon Anik did bring attention on the broadcast to Jackson laying his gloves down inside the Octagon in retirement but declining a post-fight interview. He moved up to lightweight for this fight after a decision loss to Chepe Mariscal last time out, seemingly ending his UFC career with a record of 6-6, in addition to one no contest and one draw.
MMA fans reacted to Miller’s slick submission win at the world’s most famous arena via social media. Miller even got a tip of the hat from a man that will always show respect for any fighter that jumps for the guillotine choke, Dustin Poirier.
You miss all the ones you don't jump! Congratulations @JimMiller_155
MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.
With UFC events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.
Between Monday, September 30, and Sunday, October 6, a couple of notable fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:
UFC veteran Jim Miller wouldn’t mind running it back one more time with Joe Lauzon before their careers come to a close.
Miller earned a dominant win over Nikolas Motta at UFC Vegas 48 via second-round TKO. The victory put him in a tie with Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone for most UFC wins by a single fighter.
Miller has now won back-to-back fights after 14 years in the Octagon, dating back to his debut win against David Baron at UFC 89. Leading up to UFC Vegas 48, he dismantled an up-and-coming Erick Gonzalez with a brutal knockout last October.
Miller and Lauzon are two of the most veteran fighters in the promotion and have gone to battle twice before. Both men are arguably in the twilight of their careers and their days in the cage may be numbered.
Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon II, Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
During his UFC Vegas 48 post-fight press conference, Miller named Lauzon as a possible next opponent and likes the idea of their trilogy taking place in a main event.
“No—I mean, you’ve got Lauzon and Cerrone fighting again, and I don’t know what the plans are after that,” Miller said. “I mean, they’re both guys I’ve shared time in the Octagon with, and it’s like, ‘hey, I’ve got two against Joe, and do you go and do it again?’ Fuck yeah, we’ll do it again. I love that guy. If we could sell it, and main event a small card or something like that—because we’re two old guys that have been around for a while— then let’s do it and get the main event bonus. And a guy like Cerrone, another one, I’ve got a ton of respect for him, and if he wants to do it, let’s do it.”
Miller and Lauzon last fought against one another at a UFC Fight Night event in 2016, with Miller earning a controversial split decision win. It was a close fight that divided fans as to who came out as the victor.
Their first fight took place at UFC 155 with Miller earning a unanimous decision win.
Lauzon is slated to face Cerrone at UFC 274 later this year. It’s unclear what the interest would be from Lauzon regarding a trilogy with Miller, but it could help bring clarity to the matchup of two of the most seasoned athletes in UFC history.
