Jim Miller Welcomes Pat Healy at UFC 159

TJ Grant, after decimating Matt Wiman at UFC on Fox 6, expressed his interest in stepping up in competition, specifically mentioning his desired to fight fighters like Jim Miller.

Well, he won’t get Miller just yet as UFC officials just announced that Miller will instead fight on the next card in his home state of New Jersey, taking on Strikeforce transplant Pat “Bam Bam” Healy at UFC 159.

A streaking Miller (20-3) got knocked out of the line for the title by now-champion Benson Henderson in late 2011, bounced back, but then got derailed again by Nate Diaz last spring.

Trying to get back to the form that saw him win seven straight fights, Miller righted the ship with a Fight of the Night performance and unanimous decision over Joe Lauzon at UFC 155.

He’ll next face his mirror image in Healy.

Utilizing much the same fighting style as Miller, Healy (29-16) had his attempts to challenge for the Strikeforce belt thwarted when lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez had to pull out of back-to-back bouts due to injury.

Healy will now take his six-fight streak into the Octagon to face Miller, trying to work his way into contention for the UFC belt.

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend against Chael Sonnen in the UFC 159 main event on April 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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