Jim Miller’s ultimate goal is to one day be a world champion, but he isn’t willing to leave the UFC to do so.
In April 2011, the rumor mill was buzzing about a potential deal that would send Miller to Strikeforce for a superfight with lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez.
A deal never came together, and the rumors were defused by Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker a few days later.
Melendez has long been considered an upper-echelon talent in the 155-pound division. Most publications have him listed alongside Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard as a top-three lightweight.
Unfortunately for Melendez, he is the only world class lightweight competing under the Strikeforce banner.
“Melendez is a great fighter and could come over to the UFC and jump right into the mix without a doubt,” Miller told Five Ounces of Pain. “I don’t know what’s left for him over there, but I am sure they will find him some quality opponents.”
There’s no shortage of tough opposition. Strikeforce houses lightweights such as Josh Thomson, Jorge Masvidal, Billy Evangelista and K.J. Noons. None of these guys are easy marks, but they pale in comparison to the upper-echelon talent in the UFC.
Melendez is well past the point of merely proving himself against middle of the pack opposition. He is working to craft a legacy as one of the greatest lightweights of all time. To do that, he needs to be fighting the best in the world on a consistent basis.
Unless he signs with the UFC, it’s going to be tough for Melendez to set himself apart from Edgar and Maynard. As for the possibility of UFC contenders coming over to Strikeforce, that’s like asking an NFL player to join the Arena Football League.
“Even if the money was comparable, I don’t think I would make the move over there,” said Miller.
“Once you have been in the UFC, you don’t want to go backwards. This is the major leagues of MMA. Nothing against Strikeforce, but the opportunities here are far better. More exposure, more sponsors, bigger crowds and obviously more challenging fights.”
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