Jim Miller showed he has plenty left in the tank with a quick submission victory over Jason Gonzalez at UFC Fort Lauderdale.
Jim Miller has been around just shy of forever. Making his Octagon debut in 2008, Miller holds the UFC record for most fights with 31. The New Jersey native won nine of his first 10 fights with the promotion before running into former champion Benson Henderson. Since then, Miller is 9-10, losing five of his last six fights. The 35-year-old has six Fight of the Night bonuses and three Submission of the Night awards.
Jason Gonzalez has fewer pro fights than Jim Miller has UFC wins. Gonzalez was 10-2 with all of his wins coming by stoppage when he signed with the UFC. After going 1-1 to start his run with the promotion, Gonzalez had a spirited Fight of the Night loss against rising lightweight contender Gregor Gillespie. The Californian has yet to reach the final bell in his 15 pro fights.
Both fighters come out in the southpaw stance. Miller smashes Gonzalez with a big left hand to start the contest. The California fighter is able to respond with a left hand of his own. He follows up with a grazing superman punch and a hard leg kick. Both guys are throwing hard to start the action.
Miller perfectly times a double leg and takes Gonzalez down. In a scramble, the veteran fighter takes the back. Gonzalez illegally grabs the fence but Miller is able to flatten him out. The UFC recorder holder sinks in the rear naked choke. Gonzalez fights the hands but is forced to tap out.
JIM MILLER! @JimMiller_155 gets it DONE!#UFCFtLauderdale pic.twitter.com/WhCQ6pw9Ja
— UFC (@ufc) April 27, 2019
Miller picks up the win while his wife and four children were sitting cageside for the first time. The win was his 19th in the UFC, which is fifth all-time. It was also his 11th stoppage, which is second most all-time, just one behind leader Joe Lauzon.
Gonzalez record drops to 1-3 in the UFC and his second straight loss.
Jim Miller def. Jason Gonzalez by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 1
