UFC on FX 1: "Guillard vs. Miller," which went down tonight (Fri., Jan. 20, 2012) at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, featured a main event pitting two top lightweight contenders.
Jim Miller was one fight away from a title shot before a bout of mono and Ben Henderson took it from him just a few months ago. Ditto for Guillard, who fell at the hands of Joe Lauzon and his tight jiu-jitsu game.
So why not match them up and let them take out their aggression on each other?
That's what happened tonight. Guillard was his usual reckless self, coming out with flying knees, getting buck in the center of the cage. Miller stayed composed, though he did get rocked at one point and put in a bad spot.
His survival was never really in doubt, though, and neither was the rear-naked choke he locked in once he took Guillard's back late in the opening round. The tap was academic.
Guillard got reckless early, launching a few flying knees that failed to find their mark. But he kept up the attack and landed a left hand that put Miller down and had him looking woozy.
The New Jersey native recovered, though, thanks to Melvin employing a far more patient approach. Sure, he was still throwing crazy strikes but he was doing so while keeping himself steady and not rushing too much.
Unfortunately, Melvin gonna Melvin and he ended the fight with Miller on his back, choking him until he tapped. Flashy strikes are great and all but a well-rounded game wins again.
Guillard is in no danger of being cut but this marks two losses in a row to two men who have only sniffed a title shot within the division. Time to cut down or move up in weight?
We shall see.
As for Miller, who wants to play matchmaker? This win didn't earn him a title shot or anything but surely he's right back in the proverbial mix, right?
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