These days, every time Jim Miller fight is an opportunity to add to what is already a memorable legacy.
When Miller stepped into the octagon to meet Roosevelt Roberts in the main-card opener of UFC on ESPN 11 on Saturday night, he tied Donald Cerrone for most octagon appearances in UFC history with 35.
Then the 36-year old Miller (32-14 MMA, 21-13 UFC) went out and submitted Roberts (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), who was 14 when Miller made his UFC debut in 2008, at just 2:25 into the opening round.
With his 18th career submission, Miller now has 21 UFC victories, surpassing Michael Bisping, Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre for third on the all-time list. Miller is now two wins behind Cerrone’s record of 23. The bout was a 160-pound catchweight fight, so it did not add to his record 19 UFC lightweight wins.
Miller hit a low kick as Roberts was himself attempting to throw a kick, which dropped Roberts to the mat. After vintage Miller mat work, the submission ace worked his way into position for an armbar, eventually leaving Roberts no choice but to tap.
“He’s talented on the ground, I felt I had a pretty significant strength advantage, and I was just waiting for him to make a mistake,” Miller said.
Miller has been competing professionally since 2005. The circumstances at the UFC Apex behind closed doors were unusual, to say the least. And while others said empty arenas are no problem, Miller admitted he missed the roar of the crowd.
For years I’ve said I’d fight anywhere they’d put the octagon, and that’s the case. But the fans are a huge part of this,” Miller said. “… Hearing the roar of the crowd is amazing. I miss them, I really do.
Miller won for the third time in his past four fights. Roberts, who fought and won just three weeks ago, had a two-fight winning streak snapped.
Up-to-the-minute results from UFC on ESPN 11:
- Jim Miller def. Roosevelt Roberts via submission (armbar) — Round 1, 2:25
- Bobby Green def. Clay Guida via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Tecia Torres def. Brianna Van Buren via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Marc-Andre Barriault def. Oskar Piechota via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:50
- Gillian Robertson def. Cortney Casey via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:32
- Justin Jaynes def. Frank Camacho via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:41
- Lauren Murphy def. Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Austin Hubbard def. Max Rohskopf via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
