Las Vegas, NV — Lightweight Jim Miller holds numerous records in the UFC, including most wins and most fights.
But the wins record coming the way it did, with Miller (35-16, 1NC) taking sole possession of it care of a submission win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 276, is something special. And something that may never be seen again.
“I feel like we’re both cut from the same cloth, that any time, anywhere mentality, that feels like it might be going away in some instances with the younger generation,” Miller told media outlets including Cageside Press following the fight. Cerrone and Miller had been tied for the record, at 23 a piece. “It was cool to share the octagon with [Cowboy], the numbers involved in this fight will never happen again. It was an awesome night.”
Jumping up on the cage to celebrate a win is just as exhilarating now as the first time he did it. But getting the win over Cerrone in Cowboy’s final fight, “it’s bittersweet,” he admitted. “I’m a fan of Cowboy, I really like the guy. Not only his fighting style; he gives me an impression that he’s a great father, and I love that. It’s bittersweet to see him go and being the guy that beats him. But on the same stroke, taking the lead from the guy who I am tied with — it’s not like he retired and then through attrition [I] got there, but taking it from him, it means a lot. It was a heck of a night.”
Miller now hopes that, after some family time, he’ll be back in the cage by the end of the year. Heading into UFC 276, Miller, who now has 24 wins inside the octagon, was on the last fight of his contract, despite riding a two fight win streak.
He reportedly signed a new deal following the ceremonial weigh-ins, however. Which means we should be seeing Miller for some time to come.
Watch the full UFC 276 post-fight press conference with Jim Miller above. More coverage from the event can be found below.