UFC
Jim Miller says he didn't want to have to go 15 minutes against Joe Lauzon at UFC 155
Jan 3, 2013 - 5:45:46 PM Jim Miller says he didn't want to have to go 15 minutes against Joe Lauzon at UFC 155

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"It played out pretty good for me in the first round. I came out and wanted to set the pace. I have an aggressive as well, and it seemed like he was getting a lot of attention before the fight for his aggression. But I think I pretty clearly out-aggressioned the most aggressive guy on our roster.

I just wanted to get in his face, and I had him hurt. I was connecting, and I really made an effort to put him away. I don't think most guys would have survived that first round like he did and still been able to do some things later on in the fight.

I could feel the finish there, and I was trying to keep the pressure on him. Thinking back on it, I probably should have changed my target a bit and went to the body because he was covering up pretty good up top. I should have went to the body in order to get him to drop his hands and maybe that would have opened him up for a knock out shot or something like that.

I had the momentum so I was trying to take it. I did not want to have to fight him for 15 minutes because he's a dangerous guy. I was trying to take that opportunity and really run with it."

-Jim Miller talks to Duane Finley at BleacherReport.com about his UFC 155 "Fight of the Night" win over Joe Lauzon.

Penick's Analysis: Miller put together one of his best striking performances ever in the UFC on that card last Saturday night, and despite the lack of finish, he doesn't have anything to feel down about. Lauzon's only been stopped by strikes twice in the UFC, so he's historically a fairly durable fighter, and Miller's not known for his striking. What he managed to do against Lauzon was completely unexpected in terms of the variety of strikes he threw and the damage he managed to do. It showcased a complete step forward in that aspect of his game, and a very big improvement over his fight against Nate Diaz in May. He should be in a great spot in the UFC's lightweight division to kick off this year, and that UFC 155 fight is a great jumping off point for a new portion of his career.