Jim Miller

By FCF Staff

Thanks to the impressive run Jim Miller has put together since joining the UFC in 2008, the lightweight continues to embody the term ‘perennial contender.’

While Miller has come up short in bouts versus men like Benson Henderson and Nate Diaz, the New Jersey fighter has recorded an awe inspiring 13-3 (with 1 no contest) record in the UFC.

On Wednesday night, Miller will take on the man who is ranked one spot higher than him at 155, the #6 positioned Donald Cerrone. In a recent interview with UFC.com, here is what Miller had to say about what’s riding on the UFC Fight Night 45 headliner:

“This is a big fight because I’m fighting somebody who’s ranked above me and that hasn’t happened in a while, so I’m excited for it,” Miller said. “There’s always pressure to move up the rankings, move your career along and everything like that. But unfortunately, the title in my division is stagnant right now. (UFC lightweight champion Anthony) Pettis is a talented fighter, but he seems to be a bit injury prone. I could win this fight, win another fight against another top contender and still be in limbo. I like to fight and the way the title picture is now, it’s still three, four fights away to earning that shot. So I don’t really worry about it because the title’s not even the picture right now for me.”

Miller (24-4) is coming off wins over Yancy Medeiros and Fabricio Camoes heading into the bout, and is 3-1, with 1 no contest, in his last 5 contests.

Cerrone (23-6), on the other hand, has won three straight since he was decisioned by Rafael dos Anjos last August.

UFC FN 45 will be hosted by the Revel Resort and Casino in Atlantic City.