T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada played host to UFC 213 Romero vs. Whittaker on Saturday. The main card saw Anthony Pettis square off with Jim Miller in what became the second fight of the main card, thanks to the reshuffle following Amanda Nunes dropping off the card.
Former UFC and WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis entered the cage after suffering a TKO loss in December of last year to now-featherweight champion Max Holloway. At UFC 213, Showtime looked to get back to his winning ways with a win over Jim Miller.
UFC vetran Jim Miller, meanwhile, entered the night coming off a decision loss to Dustin Poirier in Feberuary in Brooklyn, New York at UFC 208. Prior to that loss Miller was on a three fight win streak that saw him collect wins over Takanori Gomi, Joe Lauzon and Thiago Alves. Saturday Miller looked to get back on track with a win over the former champion.
Which man would get back in the win column in Las Vegas?
The first round saw Miller come out looking to work the leg kicks to slow Pettis down. He followed up with a strong left and a few more leg kicks; both fighters exchanged body kicks after that. Pettis then threw a flying knee and followed with a flurry of shots to Miller against the cage. Pettis started loosening up and pushing the pace, throwing a spinning back fist followed by a switch kick. Miller fired back with a strong overhead left to end the round.
The second round saw Pettis come out looking confident, he threw a strong head kick that Miller caught sending Pettis to the ground, but not before getting bloodied from the strike. Miller took top position but found himself in a Pettis triangle attempt. Miller was able to slip out of the triangle to land an elbow before the two scrambled and Miller was able to take Pettis’s back, a second scramble saw Pettis work himself into top position to land a few shots. Pettis worked into side control and landed a few more shots before taking Miller’s back. Pettis wasn’t able to hold on and Miller worked his way back to his feet only for Pettis to drag him back down to finish the round.
Pettis came out in the third throwing multiple kicks which Miller answered with leg kicks of his own. Pettis was utilizing his range better in the third round, and Miller went back to throwing leg kicks while trying to pressure Showtime. Miller shot in for the take down but was stuffed by Pettis and pushed into the cage. Both fighters were working inside the clinch, with Miller landing a good elbow and Pettis throwing a cartwheel kick on the break. Miller answered with his own cartwheel kick and Pettis fired back with a flying kick in response to end the round.
Anthony Pettis def. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
