Jim Miller

Early Life and Career

Jim Miller is from Sparta Township, New Jersey and is the youngest of three brothers. He started wrestling at the age of four and continued to compete in high school at Sparta High School. Miller also did one year of collegiate wrestling at Virginia Tech, although he had not planned on it originally. He became a walk-on for the team later in the season, but ultimately stopped competing due to disagreements with the coaching staff and program. Miller holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he earned under Jamie Cruz. In 2005, he began training in mixed martial arts alongside his brother Dan Miller at Planet Jiu-Jitsu in Sparta, New Jersey.

Jim Miller had his first professional fight on November 19, 2005, at Reality Fighting 10, against Eddie Fyvie, which he won via unanimous decision. He then won his next two fights over Kevin Roddy and Joe Andujar, both via first-round submission. These quick victories earned Miller a title shot against Muhsin Corbbrey, for the Reality Fighting Lightweight Championship, which he won by securing an armbar in the second round. He defended his title against future UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar at Reality Fighting 14, but lost via unanimous decision, despite coming close to securing a guillotine in the final round.

Before Reality Fighting 14, Miller's training center, Planet Jiu-Jitsu, closed down, and he began training with his brother Dan Miller at AMA Fight Club in Whippany, New Jersey, in January 2007.

Miller made his debut with the Cage Fury Fighting Championships on April 13, 2007, in a Lightweight Championship bout against Al Buck, which he won by securing a rear-naked choke after a series of takedowns and submission attempts. He then defended his title for the first time at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5, against Anthony Morrison, whom he defeated by a triangle choke in the first round.

Jim Miller’s Career in UFC

Jim Miller has had a long and successful career in the UFC, competing primarily in the lightweight division. He made his debut in the promotion on January 20, 2008, at UFC 80, where he defeated David Baron by rear-naked choke in the third round. Miller continued to win against notable opponents such as Matt Wiman, Mark Bocek, and Mac Danzig, establishing himself as a rising star in the division.

However, he faced his first setback in the UFC when he lost to Gray Maynard in a title eliminator bout at UFC 96 in 2009. Despite the loss, Miller continued to compete against the top fighters in the division, including a victory over Charles Oliveira and a hard-fought loss to future champion Benson Henderson.

In 2012, Miller was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which affected his ability to train and compete. He struggled with inconsistency in his performances, alternating wins and losses over several fights. However, he bounced back in 2015 with a three-fight win streak, including a notable victory over Danny Castillo by rear-naked choke.

Miller continued to compete in the UFC, breaking multiple records for the most fights and wins in the promotion's history. He has faced some of the best fighters in the lightweight division, including Donald Cerrone, Dustin Poirier, and Anthony Pettis. Despite suffering some losses, Miller has always been known for his toughness and his ability to finish fights, with a high percentage of his wins coming by submission.