UK Scene - Park
PARK: Dan Miller playing the waiting game for his UFC future after UFC 114 loss to Michael Bisping
Jun 1, 2010 - 9:53:25 AM PARK: Dan Miller playing the waiting game for his UFC future after UFC 114 loss to Michael Bisping

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By: Chris Park, MMATorch UK Specialist

When you share the Octagon with an opponent for fifteen minutes, it’s said you share a bond, an understanding that only another fighter feels. That was evident after the final horn sounded to call time on Michael Bisping’s fight with Dan Miller at UFC 114 last Saturday.

After the fight had finished the two embraced in the centre of the Octagon and shared a few moments of congratulations on the show they had just produced.

Following his February decision loss to Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping came into this fight needing the win to point his middleweight mission back in the right direction. Bisping did just that with a dominant striking display that subjected Dan Miller to his third straight loss, levelling his UFC record to an even 3-3.

While Bisping will now look to a possible re-match with Wanderlei Silva, Dan Miller will have to wait to see if his next fight will be in the UFC, or whether he will have to seek alternative employment.

Miller came into this fight with more weight on his heart than any man should ever have to deal with, having tragically lost his daughter at birth last year. Then, Miller’s second child, a little boy, was born with life threatening complications and is still currently fighting for his life. How someone finds the mental strength to then compete the way Miller has been doing is staggering and puts him head and shoulders above most in my book.

At the UFC 114 post-fight press conference UFC President Dana White was asked about his plans for Miller and whether, following his third straight loss, this would be three and out?

White stated, “Here’s the thing about a guy like Dan Miller; what we ask of guys is to come in and fight - go for it - and he is one of those guys. He came in against a motivated Michael Bisping and gave it everything he had. He fought for three rounds - hard - and we respect that.”

While Dana White indicated a decision wouldn’t be made until next week there were certainly signs that the case to keep Miller on the books was being considered here.

Michael Bisping came into this fight unaware of the personal trauma that his opponent had been suffering, and was quick to throw his support behind the New Jersey Native. “I didn’t know anything about it up until just the other day” he said.

“Obviously my heart goes out to him and his family. Being a family man myself words can’t describe what he must have went through. It was difficult [to fight Dan Miller] in that respect.

“I spoke to Dan after the fight, he came to my dressing room and we had a chat. The guy’s a class act and I wish him all the best in his career. He really is a nice guy and a great fighter.”

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Park’s Analysis: There is no doubt in my mind that Dan Miller should remain in the UFC (for one more fight at least). He took everything Michael Bisping threw at him and still came back for more.

Under most circumstances you would expect a fighter to be cut after three straight losses, but these losses are to Chael Sonnen, Demian Maia and Bisping. Throw in the heart he showed on Saturday with all that he has had to deal with and then ask the question: “Does he deserve one more fight?”

As far as Michael Bisping is concerned, this was a very strong performance that should see him back on track. He didn’t get the knock out he wanted but that was more down to the resilience of Miller than anything else.

The UFC is making its long awaited return to the UK in October, with Dan Hardy likely to have his comeback fight at the London O2. Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva II, or perhaps a matchup with Nate Marquart, would serve as the perfect main event.

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Chris Park is the MMATorch UK Specialist. Please email any comments or questions to Chris at; mmatorchuk@gmail.com or look us up at http://www.facebook.com/mmatorchuk2 our new MMATorch Facebook home for UK Fans!