In just a few hours, UFC Fight Night 45 will commence in New Jersey with a headliner built for fight fans looking for excitement. Jim Miller will face off against Donald Cerrone in a bout that almost guarantees fireworks, both standing and on the ground. It’s what I am calling the battle for the man’s man crown.
In a recent interview for Bloody Elbow, Miller discussed why he feels the victory will be his, weight cutting and the current status of Lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis being on the shelf. Here’s what he had to say:
Donald Cerrone
For me every fight is big. This is the main event, and that always adds a little pressure to it. At the same time, that also means that it’s a bigger opportunity. It really just comes down to this being a big fight, but not any bigger than the last one, because they’re all big. It’s just another day at the office.
I think that he knows that I have an advantage on the ground, so to come into the fight and just trying to be shooting from the outside would be silly. I plan on establishing my striking, as well. I know he’s a dangerous guy, but when you get him out of his rhythm, he doesn’t land as accurately or with as much frequency.
Really, the game plan is the same as in all my fights. I’m just going to put the pressure on and fight. I’m here to win a fight, not win on points in a match. I’m trying to beat him up, and that’s that. When it hits the ground, and I know it will, I’ll be facing a very dangerous guy, but you know what? So is everybody else. There are no easy fights in the UFC. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want the tough fights, because that’s what brings out the best in me.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
I think he’s very tough, but he’s also very raw. I feel that I would match up very well against him. He said he wanted the winner of this fight, and it’s not like I’d be stepping back in the rankings. It’s definitely a fight I would love to have, but I don’t want to look past Donald.
Anthony Pettis
It’s damn close to time for an interim title match. He’s a talented kid, but he hasn’t fought. He’s over there signing some big endorsement deals and he hasn’t defended. He’s making money and hasn’t even defended the title. That’s going to give him even less incentive to come back and fight. I don’t feel confident that he’ll fight by the end of the year. If he doesn’t, I think there should be an interim.
Weight
It all depends on how much time I’ve had off as to what I walk at [laughs]. I’ve gotten up to about 190 pounds in the past. I started training camp for Joe Lauzon 6 weeks out at 187 pounds. I diet down my whole camp, though. By the time fight week is here, I’m at 170 or below.
From the time I make weight to stepping in the cage, I weigh about 170. There are guys that try to force themselves to put on more, but I think that causes some negative effects and can wreck your cardio. That extra weight that you haven’t been used to carrying can weigh you down like an anchor. I try to listen to my body and let it level out to where it needs to be.
About the author
