Gray Maynard vs Jim Miller UFC 96 fight possible

by MMAmania.com on Jan 6, 2009 7:20 AM EST

Jim Miller (13-1) will get the opportunity to hand Gray Maynard (6-0) his first career loss in mixed martial arts when the two lightweights collide at UFC 96 from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7, according to TheGarv.com.

"The Bully" has strung together four straight wins inside the Octagon since his participation on season five of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5. He most recently outpointed Rich Clementi on all three judges scorecards at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" back in October, relying on his strong wrestling background to frustrate "No Love" for the full 15 minutes.

It was his second big win over a name challenger in the division -- he defeated the previously unbeaten Frank Edgar via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 13 in April 2007. He'll once again have his hands full against the AMA Fight Club product.

Miller recently filled-in for an injured Edgar to derail Matt Wiman at UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops" on December 10. He took the fight on just eight days notice, after Thanksgiving and having just returned from his honeymoon.

And he looked sharp while doing it.

This will mark the third fight inside the Octagon for Miller — he scored an impressive third round submission (rear naked choke) over David Baron at UFC 89: "Bisping vs. Leben" on October 18 in his promotional debut.

Prior to the big win, Miller plied his trade primarily in smaller shows throughout New Jersey. His only loss was a unanimous decision to none other than Edgar. He holds a notable win over the very tough and experienced Bart Palaszewski via unanimous decision under the International Fight League (IFL) banner back in April.

To check out the latest UFC 96 fight card, which currently is awaiting a main event, as well as rumors for the show click here.

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Comments

Good fight….I think Miller takes this

by McArthur on Jan 6, 2009 7:24 AM EST reply actions

it will be a good fight, but think maynard will win. he is one of my favorite fighters in the 155 division. he needs to have more finishes and stop grinding out opponents to get a decision.

please let maynard get revenge on that punk nate diez after he beats miller!

by Xander the Great on Jan 6, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

wow this year is one of those years where you can bascilly put two fighters together and it would be a great fight.. and if it was a bad match-up, it still ends up being fight of the night.

by mikeybear2009 on Jan 6, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

I really want Miller to win but he’s gonna get LnP’d. If maynard can LnP edgar, there’s no limit to who else he can do that to- we have ourselves a LW arona.

by NameNotRequired on Jan 6, 2009 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

heres my theory. gray throws such hot bombs that people actually feel more comfortable with him in their guard than standing up. gray is gonna drop miller on his head at least 5 times!

by jonsey on Jan 6, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

dont underestimate Miller. The kid is very skilled and composed. gray will rightfully be the favorite, but until he starts finishing people. he gives his opponents 15 minutes to finish them!

Them extreme Couture boys, need to learn how to finish fights (gray, Forrest)!

by john on Jan 6, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Keep in mind that Miller, steamrolled Wiman on short notice. Give this kid a full training camp and the skies the limit!

by john on Jan 6, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

agreed with John…other than a Couture gameplan, I don’t see what Grey can do to Miller that he hasn’t seen….Miller’s stand up is WAY to crisp for Grey to handle

by McArthur on Jan 6, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

Maynard has a definate wrestling advantage. He also has excelent cardio and big power. I give Miller the striking advantage based on his accuracy and combinations. I think Gray has the power advantage. Eventhough Miller is an accompilshed wrestler I see Maynard taking him down. Miller has a definate jiujitsu advantage and Maynard can be submitted (see Nate Diaz TUF fight). I can definatley see this one being Gray by decision or Miller by submission.

by DB on Jan 6, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

This should be a great fight. I will take Gray by decision.

Man, 2009 already has some stellar matchups that aren’t super star power: Sanchez/JoeDaddy, McClovin/Saunders, and like, tons of others that I cant think of right now.

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 6, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Excellent analysis DB, i agree 100%, and same to you John, I dub Miller the “Favorite” in this one definently.

by The Anomaly on Jan 6, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

Martin Rooney trains Miller and he is best in business. Miller wins.

by UFCFighter10 on Jan 16, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

yeah i thought wiman would destroy miller and he steamrolled him. on 8 days notice, that was impressive. ill take miller by armbar

by Jared on Jan 6, 2009 7:26 AM EST reply actions

I have nothing against wrestlers and always enjoyed watchin randy, matt hughes, koscheck etc. but gray maynard…im not a fan. Except for the occasional slam and the k.o of joe veres? theres nothing maynard would rather do than lie down on somoene and edge out a decision as hes done in all but one of his wins. Not really my thing.

by Mike on Jan 6, 2009 7:55 AM EST reply actions

exactly how I feel about Maynard. his boring ass decision win over Clementi pissed me off. I really, really hope Jim can pull off a submission, but Maynard is so strong that it is going to be a difficult task.

by Budgell on Jan 6, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

the only wrestler i hated watchin was efrain… maybe cause i’m a huge nover fan, and i put money on the fight! lol

by Xander the Great on Jan 6, 2009 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

This should be a great fight. I’ll have to go with Miller.

by El_Mexicutioner, formerly The _Mexicutioner on Jan 6, 2009 8:06 AM EST reply actions

I agree. Should be a great fight.

by James S on Jan 6, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

i hope Jim wins on the simple fact Gray has got the gayest tattoos ever

by SluggerCitySolider on Jan 6, 2009 8:34 AM EST reply actions

Brock Lesner has the gayest tatoo…BAR NONE

by McArthur on Jan 6, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

ahh yes the sword tat is pretty gay

by SluggerCitySolider on Jan 6, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions

is that what it is, a sword. i thought it was something else… lol! but yes pretty gay.

by Xander the Great on Jan 6, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Gray by dirty dry humping for 15min

by yoda on Jan 6, 2009 10:23 AM EST reply actions

This will be a good test for both, Maynard is starting to get a boring reputation though. He just lays on guys and pounds out wins. I like Gray I just think his fights are super boring.

by the spyder on Jan 6, 2009 10:58 AM EST reply actions

DUde this Miller guy is freakin legit. I got my moneys on him. Awesome BJJ.

by The Anomaly on Jan 6, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Word!! The Bully will have his hands full that night, should be a gooder they’re both super tough guys. Hopefully Maynard doesnt just take him down and lay on him for 3 rounds.

by the spyder on Jan 6, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

Well spyder in my mind that is best case scenario for a Manyard win, and it is a def possibility. However, I don’t think we will have to worry about that too much, I think Miller’s BJJ is too good for it to be a boring lay and pray. I didn’t even think Manyard’s last fight was boring with clementi.

by The Anomaly on Jan 6, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions