UFC 168’s Jim Miller Is Ready To Mix It Up Against Fabricio Camoes

Jim Miller has been a mainstay in the UFC Lightweight division for a long time now; the tough New Jersey native has racked up an impressive 11-3 (1 NC) record while with the promotion, but has had a tough run as of late.

After going on on a seven fight win streak between 2009-11, Miller experienced only his second ever UFC loss; a one sided beatdown at the hands of future boss Benson Henderson. After bouncing back with a submission win over Melvin Guillard, Miller was once again bested in a Lightweight title eliminator-this time by Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller.

It seemed that Miller was back to his gritty best at UFC 155, beating the living daylights out of Joe Lauzon over three rounds and presenting an excellent case for ‘Fight of The Year’. UFC 159 told a different story; Miller was submitted by Pat Healy and needed to pick up the pieces.

Although the result was changed to a no contest after Healy tested positive for Mary Jane, the fact remains that Miller was beaten convincingly (and by a stoned fighter). Looking ahead now to UFC 168 and Miller has the chance to prove that he can still hang in the top 10 as he goes up against Fabricio Camoes. Check out what Miller had to say when talking on MMAJunkieradio recently:

“I’ve done the work to put myself in the Top 10 in this division, and it’s going to take a bit to get me out of there,” he said. “I’m still here, and as long as my body cooperates, I’ll prove that I belong and prove I can beat these guys.”

Miller is still only 30, I’d be surprised if he had already worn himself out in MMA. Although it is certainly a young man’s sport, I’d like to think that Miller still has more to offer. Camoes will prove a good test, or perhaps a potential tune up fight as he is unranked and coming off a loss and 18 month lay off.

“I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in more than a year, and I’m ready to mix it up,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I used to train like a 24-year-old and go in there and push hard and go basically as hard as you can go. But I’ve learned a lot of lessons and from the mistakes I’ve made in training. Now I focus on technique.”

There are no easy fights in the UFC, so I do hope that Miller’s change in training pays dividends. Miller is on the wrong end of the Lightweight division right now, currently ranked at 10 and facing certain hard consequences should he fall short at 168.

“I’ve put a few miles on my body and was a little banged up for the last couple fights. So it was good to do some physical therapy and stuff like that. I don’t like spending time away and not be able to train and be in the gym and fight. But I used the time well, I guess.”

If JM can turn up the heat like he did against Joe Lauzon, Camoes could well be in a lot of trouble. He brings his game that he did against Diaz/Bendo/Healy; then Miller could well need to rethink his career path.