Jim Miller has by no means requested the UFC for a lot however as he approaches the ultimate few fights of his profession, he really has a few bucket record gadgets he hopes to satisfy.
With plans to retire after his fiftieth combat within the UFC — he has No. 46 scheduled on Saturday at UFC 314 in opposition to Chase Hooper — the fighter who already holds information for essentially the most fights and wins in firm historical past nonetheless hopes to hit a pair extra milestones earlier than it’s throughout. In fact, Miller has by no means been within the enterprise of turning down fights so it’s possible he’s going to simply accept whoever the UFC throws at him for his last opponent however there’s not less than one identify that he would like to see on the opposite aspect of that bout settlement.
“Opponent sensible, there’s so many powerful guys,” Miller informed MMA Preventing. “So many guys that I’m a fan of that I’d wish to combat. I do know I’d have a variety of work to do within the subsequent 4 fights and we’re in the identical division and he’s ranked fairly a bit increased than me so it makes it powerful however I simply love the thought of standing throughout from Justin Gaethje. I believe that’s only a trainwreck of a combat.
“Who is aware of the way it goes, who it’s going to be in opposition to. As a lot as I really like the game, I don’t pay sufficient consideration to know who’s booked.”
It’s true that Gaethje occupies a spot close to the highest of the light-weight rankings so accepting a matchup in opposition to Miller may not make a ton of sense for him so far as shifting nearer to title competition. That mentioned, Gaethje abides by the same code as Miller in relation to saying sure every time the UFC comes calling so something is feasible.
Clearly, Miller holds Gaethje within the highest regard, which is why he appears like retiring with that as his fiftieth and last combat can be a narrative for the ages.
“It’s a combat that will take some work on my finish to make it occur,” Miller mentioned. “My job is to indicate up wholesome, in form and able to go. I don’t receives a commission matchmaker cash.”
The one different request that Miller would really like fulfilled is the prospect to go house for yet another combat earlier than his profession is over.
The New Jersey native has really fought at house a number of instances throughout his profession however Miller would like to not less than have yet another look within the Backyard State earlier than he hangs up his gloves for good.
Humorous sufficient, the UFC is scheduled to return to New Jersey for UFC 316 in June however Miller is already competing on Saturday in Miami. There’s at all times an opportunity Miller beats Hooper at UFC 314 after which makes the fast turnaround for the cardboard in New Jersey however he actually hopes the promotion permits him the prospect to go house once more earlier than he’s finished.
“That may be a large one,” Miller mentioned. “I’d wish to combat on the Prudential Middle once more. [Madison Square Garden] is superior, New York is superior, yeah the fee’s a bit little bit of a ache within the butt, however preventing in Newark that’s my house court docket. I’d wish to get yet another in there. I’m hoping that timing works out.
“I don’t wish to shelf myself to attend it out too lengthy. I don’t wish to be on the shelf six or eight months ready for one. As a result of that’s the factor, too, Time is a commodity … that’s the large combat. Father time is the large one. As I become old, every thing will get a bit bit more durable. I’d wish to preserve a good tempo of each 4 to 5 months, barring accidents.”
In complete, Miller nonetheless has 5 fights left earlier than he retires so it’s not just like the sand within the hourglass is operating brief simply but however he’s lastly able to put a cap on his profession after first debuting within the UFC again in 2008.
Miller believes attending to No. 50 within the UFC not solely maintains his report for essentially the most fights in promotion historical past but it surely additionally most likely units a bar so excessive that it’s going to be extremely tough for anybody to come back close to that once more.
“It’s a pleasant clear quantity,” Miller mentioned. “I believe that’s a mountain-peak that no one else will get to. No one else goes to achieve that, I don’t assume. I don’t know. I’ve been near retiring prior to now. Like I used to be deadset to retire at UFC 200 once I was getting ready for [UFC] 196 and I used to be like dude, I may barely get by means of that camp. I educated like shit. I used to be like OK simply get by means of this one as a result of I have to know.
“I’m not a man that makes selections with feelings. I’m analytical. I break issues down. I’m calculating. As a lot as a neanderthal as I typically act like, I attempt to make selections based mostly on details and as a lot information as I’ve. I’m not going to be that man that makes that emotional determination.”
Miller guarantees when he reaches No. 50 that actually goes to be the tip of the street for him and if something modifications earlier than that date arrives, he’ll announce it earlier than ever setting foot within the octagon.
Greater than something, Miller desires to know he’s going into his last combat earlier than he really competes and he additionally plans on sharing that with the entire world so it’s a shared expertise.
“When it’s that point, and hopefully it’s 50, and if it’s not then it’s nonetheless going to be public,” Miller mentioned. “I’m nonetheless going to let all people know. I’m nonetheless going to speak about it as a result of I believe it’s essential to be trustworthy. The thought of strolling to that final one for me, it’s lifting that factor off your shoulders. It’s a weight.
“Like I really like preventing. There’s no higher feeling than getting a end and simply wanting up. I don’t see exterior the octagon once I’m preventing. I don’t see it. I can’t. For no matter purpose my eyes, my imaginative and prescient simply stops on the cage and it’s like I pop my head up, I stand up on my ft and it’s like growth! I can see all people within the stands and it’s like sure! That is what it’s all about. So I would like all people that it’s going to be my final one and desirous about it will get me jazzed up.”
