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 Jersey.
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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