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UFC Fight Night 45: 3 Fights for Jim Miller to Take Next

Wednesday night, Jim Miller stepped into the UFC Octagon opposite fellow lightweight contender Donald Cerrone. However, things did not go the way of Miller in this bout, as he succumbed to a second-round head-kick knockout loss in Atlantic City, New Je…

The loss for Miller knocks him out of contention for the time being. He is tough as nails and well-rounded as they come, but he has failed to break through to a title consideration with a performance against a fellow top lightweight.

Where does Miller go from here? Here are three fights he can take going forward.

Evan Dunham

Miller and Evan Dunham have something in common from Wednesday night: both are lightweights who were finished by kicks.

Dunham faced Edson Barboza, a muay thai striker (like Cerrone), who thoroughly dismantled the American. He beat him up on the feet and eventually ended the bout with a kick to the body of Dunham.

Both he and Miller are both probably considered in the top 25, if not the top 20. Seeing as they both just fought and they are both coming off losses, this bout could make tons of sense.

Myles Jury/Takanori Gomi loser

Surging lightweight Myles Jury and Japanese legend Takanori Gomi are set to meet in Japan come September. Either one of these men seems like a fun matchup for Miller.

In this instance, the loser would be the best fit, seeing as Miller is also coming off a loss. Jury is a ground guy, like Miller, making that a very intriguing fight. Gomi is a longtime vet of the sport like Miller, meaning it would be a sort of “nostalgia” matchup between two high-level guys.

Either way, it’s a fun matchup. It could easily grace any main card the UFC puts on in the future.

Josh Thomson/Bobby Green loser

Just like the aforementioned matchup, Josh Thomson vs. Bobby Green features two top lightweights who could provide the winner a top contender spot and the loser a high-quality fight to get back into contention.

It’s almost amazing to think Thomson and Miller have never met. They are both veterans of the game who have faced many of the best the sport has to offer.

Green is another great challenge should he match up with Miller. He is gritty, well-rounded, athletic and hungry, something that would contrast well with Miller’s skills.

Whoever fails to win the bout between Green and Thomson should be given a chance against Miller. It would certainly be a fun bout.

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Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller: What We Learned from Lightweight Tilt

Wednesday night, Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller main evented UFC Fight Night 45 in Atlantic City. It was a fight that did not disappoint.

In a bout that lasted under two rounds, Cerrone was able to knock Miller out with a nasty head kick. It was a fini…

Wednesday night, Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller main evented UFC Fight Night 45 in Atlantic City. It was a fight that did not disappoint.

In a bout that lasted under two rounds, Cerrone was able to knock Miller out with a nasty head kick. It was a finish that was the end to a scrappy bout between two of the best lightweights in the world.

So, what did we learn? Here is a a breakdown of what we learned and what each fighter should do going forward.

What We’ll Remember About This Fight

The vicious kicks of Donald Cerrone. Every kick that Cerrone threw had bad intentions, from the leg kicks to the kick that ultimately ended the fight.

Cerrone went to the body early and often. It was the body kicks that eventually opened up the head kicks he threw at Miller.

He could have probably finished the fight earlier with a body kick had it not been deemed a low blow. However, it didn’t last much longer, as Cerrone broke through Miller’s chin with an excellent high kick to the chops.

What We Learned About Miller

We may have already known this, but Miller is tough as nails. He took an extraordinary amount of punishment and continued to try to stay in the fight.

Something we also learned is that he may be a high-level gatekeeper. He has had a number of chances to break his way into the top five and get into title contention but has been held back by superior opponents.

He’s a guy you want to stick around, but he will likely be more of a gatekeeper moving forward.

What We Learned About Cerrone

A motivated Donald Cerrone is a dangerous Donald Cerrone.

That is a saying we have come to know with BJ Penn, but it has become true with Cerrone. Cerrone seemed to be mailing it in a few fights ago, but he got his motivation back and has been the dangerous fighter that he was before that.

His striking is nasty, and his ground is extremely underrated. He’s a tough out for anybody in the lightweight division.

What’s Next for Miller?

There is a man who lost in the co-main event by a kick that Miller could fight as well: Evan Dunham. That could be a great next fight for Miller.

Both men are still top lightweights in the company and could compete with each other to see who gets back in the hunt and who needs to reassess themselves.

What’s Next for Cerrone?

He should find himself in a top contender’s bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov. The winner gets a shot at the winner of Gilbert Melendez-Anthony Pettis.

It’s a tough fight for Cerrone, but it’s also a chance to prove he can take on a rugged wrestler with savage grappling. The winner would definitely be a worthy adversary.

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Previewing the Newcomers for UFC Fight Night 45 and 46

The UFC is rapidly expanding and putting on more and more shows, and the increased number of events means an increase in roster size.
This week, the UFC has two events. UFC Fight Night 45 takes place in Atlantic City on Wednesday and is headlined by Do…

The UFC is rapidly expanding and putting on more and more shows, and the increased number of events means an increase in roster size.

This week, the UFC has two events. UFC Fight Night 45 takes place in Atlantic City on Wednesday and is headlined by Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller, while UFC Fight Night 46 takes place in Ireland on Saturday and is headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Diego Brandao.

There are seven fighters who are making their official UFC debuts this week. Let’s take a look at every new fighter.

Note: Returning UFC vets Leonardo Mafra and Naoyuki Kotani will not be previewed, as they have had official UFC fights already.

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UFC Fight Night 45: Preliminary Card Predictions

The UFC returns to Atlantic City for the first time in a long time, as UFC Fight Night 45 comes live on Wednesday. Headlined by Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller, the card boasts some great young talent who are looking to establish their names.
Internation…

International Fight Week was rough on my preliminary card record. My record was at .500, which was not bad in theory but wasn’t good either.

Without further ado, here are the preliminary picks for UFC Fight Night 45.

2014 Riley’s Record: 94-63

Last Event: 6-6 (UFC 175/The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale)

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UFC Fight Night 45: B/R Staff Main Card Predictions

We have a busy week ahead, folks. We have UFC Fight Night 45 on Wednesday in Atlantic City and UFC Fight Night 46 in Ireland on Saturday.
Both cards promise a bunch of great action. First up is UFC Fight Night 45, which is headlined by Donald Cerrone a…

We have a busy week ahead, folks. We have UFC Fight Night 45 on Wednesday in Atlantic City and UFC Fight Night 46 in Ireland on Saturday.

Both cards promise a bunch of great action. First up is UFC Fight Night 45, which is headlined by Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller. It is a fight that has Fight of the Night written all over it.

Our crack team is back to make some predictions for you. Our usual team of all-stars is here to guide you through both events. Joining me, Riley Kontek, are Scott Harris, Sean Smith, Craig Amos and James MacDonald.

Let’s get it on!

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5 Reasons to Watch UFC Fight Night 45

Are you free Wednesday night? Good, there are some fights that need to be watched!
UFC Fight Night 45 comes to you live from Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the backs of main eventers Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller. Both men are in the upper echelon of th…

Are you free Wednesday night? Good, there are some fights that need to be watched!

UFC Fight Night 45 comes to you live from Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the backs of main eventers Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller. Both men are in the upper echelon of the lightweight division and are jockeying for position in the title picture.

Also on the card are longtime UFC vets such as Rick Story, Edson Barboza and Evan Dunham, all of whom grace the main card with their exciting brand of fighting.

Without further ado, here are five reasons to turn to Fox Sports 1 Wednesday.

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