Jim Miller returns at UFC Fight Night 219 opposing Gabriel Benitez
It appears we have the return of UFC legend Jim Miller (35-16) upon us, as he’s slated to face Gabriel Benitez (23-10) at UFC Fight Night 219.
UFC Fight Night 219 is to go down on February 18, 2023, live from the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada.
Jim Miller has done just about everything in this sport aside from hold a world championship.
- Most fights in UFC history (40)
- Most wins in UFC history (24)
- Most bouts in UFC lightweight history (37)
- Most wins in UFC lightweight history (21)
- Most finishes in UFC lightweight history (14)
- Most submission attempts in UFC history (46)
- Second most finishes in UFC history (16, tied with Donald Cerrone, behind Charles Oliveira)
- Second most submission wins in UFC history (11, tied with Demian Maia, behind Charles Oliveira)
- Second most submission wins in UFC lightweight history (9, behind Charles Oliveira)
That doesn’t even mention all the great names he boasts wins over, which include Charles Olivera (kneebar), Gleison Tibau (UD), Melvin Guillard (rear naked choke), Joe Lauzon twice (UD, SD), Yancy Medeiros (guillotine choke), Danny Castillo (SD), Takanori Gomi (TKO), Thiago Alves (UD), Clay Guida (guillotine choke), and Donald Cerrone (guillotine choke) to mention a few.
Miller has underrated striking, having secured standing knockout victories in two of his last three performances over a pair of talented strikers in Erick Gonzalez and Nikolas Motta, and he’s submitted three high level BJJ black belts in his time with the UFC: Charles Oliveira, Fabricio Camoes, and Donald Cerrone.
Not to mention, the first, second, and third defeats of Miller’s career came to Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard, and Benson Henderson respectively. A former UFC lightweight champion, a two-time title challenger that was ranked in the top five for years, then a WEC & UFC lightweight champion.
The defeat to Henderson brought his record to 20-3 (9-2 UFC).
Miller has of course aged a bit since then, being dealt defeat just as often as victory for a while there; he had a 1-4 stretch at one point, as well as an 0-4 stretch at another. However, he’s won his last three straight coming into this fight with Benitez, and he’s gone 6-3 in his last nine since 2019, securing all six wins via finish.
While Miller has spent most of his career in the lightweight division, Gabriel Benitez on the other hand has jumped back and forth between 145 lbs and 155 lbs. He began his UFC career as a featherweight, and he initially went 5-2 inside the octagon.
Benitez was then defeated by current no. 11 ranked featherweight contender Sodiq Yusuff, which motivated him to change divisions. Since then however, he’s gone 2-3, securing knockouts in both victories. That included an 0-2 run when he went back down to 145 lbs, as well as a 2-1 run up at lightweight.
Benitez is a good striker with viciously powerful kicks. If he can keep this fight standing, it could go his way. But Miller has surprised us with his striking before, and if he gets Benitez down, it could be a wrap right then and there.
Miller could break five of his own records with a win, which would improve his win streak to four-straight at 39 years old. And for Benitez, a win would make it two straight for him, and he’d be able to add the first legend to his resume.
Who takes home the victory in this lightweight contest going down at UFC Fight Night 219?
If you enjoyed this piece, feel free to share it on social media!
