Jim Miller Not Planning on Sitting and Waiting for a Title Shot

If there’s one thing to know about UFC lightweight Jim Miller, he’s not planning on going the Rashad Evans route to a title shot.

That’s not a dig on Evans, but after his win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson last year, the former “Ultimate Fighter” winner was offered a shot at the light heavyweight title and opted to sit out and wait until then champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was healthy and ready to fight.

Coming off a win over Kamal Shalorus at UFC 128, New Jersey’s Jim Miller doesn’t plan on sitting and waiting for the call that he’s going to fight for the UFC lightweight title. As a matter of fact, he’ll tell you right now he’s planning on fighting again before that time.

“We’ll see how the other fights go, we’ll see how Pettis/Guida goes, and what happens with that. There’s a bunch of stuff going on right now. If they were saying Jim you get the next title shot, it’s not going to be till the end of the year. I’d rather throw another fight in there,” Miller told MMAWeekly Radio.

He has always had the attitude that when the UFC comes calling for a fight. You accept it, then find out who you’re fighting and when it’s happening.

That attitude has earned Miller the reputation of being one of the toughest and most motivated fighters in the division. However, despite seven wins in a row, he isn’t going to slow down just to wait for a title shot.

He believes if you’re going to be the best, you fight the best, and staying active is the best way to do that.

“I feel if I’m ready to fight for the title, I’m ready to beat anybody else that they throw in front of me,” Miller said. “I know I can beat either (Frankie Edgar or Gray Maynard), and I know I can always make it a competitive fight with either one of those guys. So I should be able to beat anybody else in the division.”

Some people wondered why Miller didn’t scream at the top of his lungs after the win over Shalorus that he deserved a title shot, or asking UFC president Dana White for his shot.

Following a win over rising prospect Charles Oliveira last year, Miller took to the mic and with anger in his voice said he’s ready for a title shot. This time, however, he calmly had his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, and walked away.

The reason why? Miller wasn’t nearly as angry this time.

“The reason I wasn’t screaming for the title shot as much this time is because the media, the fans, and my opponent didn’t piss me off as much as they did last time,” Miller explained. “Last time I felt very disrespected and basically overlooked. I was really fired up when I finished Charles.

“This was just a normal fight. I went in there and fought and it wasn’t that big of a deal. One more step I feel above anybody else as a contender, that’s seven in a row against some really tough guys.”

Miller will be happy to make it eight in a row whenever the UFC comes calling next, and even if it’s not a title shot that’s okay, because he’ll keep beating every contender until the only person left is the one holding that shiny gold belt.

Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
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