Jim Miller Beats Joe Lauzon In A Bloodbath

As most people expected, the lightweight clash between Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon delivered raw violence. The “Fight of the Night” winner produced an electrifying bloodbath, with the type of offense that makes both fighters two of the most exciting lightweights in the division.

Ever since the late 1990’s, the deepest division in MMA has produced some of the most exciting battles in the sport. Back then it was Rumina Sato and Caol Uno thrilling us in Shooto. Now we have a huge stable of lightweights across many promotions, the best being in the UFC. Jim Miller, the top ten lightweight who has only lost to title contenders (Maynard, Diaz) or future champions (Edgar, Henderson) had something to prove on the last UFC offering of 2012. Miller came in with a level of fire and intensity that was phenomenal. Destroyed Lauzon with vicious elbows, knees, body kicks and punches. This was Miller at his most aggressive, constantly threatening Lauzon with his panoply of offense. It is amazing that Lauzon survived such an onslaught. By the end of the round, both Miller and Lauzon were covered in Lauzon’s blood. None of the judges felt this way, but I thought it was a clear 10-8 round for Miller.

In the second frame, Miller took the fight to the mat. He passed Lauzon’s guard and briefly secured mount. Miller attempted a D’Arce choke, but Lauzon reversed position to get on top. Miller worked “mission control” (rubber guard position) to hold Lauzon close to him. But Lauzon ended up attempting a leglock that was not successful.

In the final frame, both men kept the fight standing. Miller, obviously gassed out from all his aggressive offense early on, was trying his best to land strikes on Lauzon. Lauzon still had more of a snap to his strikes and landed a good knee to Miller’s body at one point. Both were wounded but still tried their best to keep up a good workrate in this frame. In a daredevil move, Lauzon busted out a flying leg scissor heel hook on Miller in the final minute of the fight. Miller would later admit that the move was close and tight. Miller would escape and the fight would end with Lauzon attempting a guillotine choke.

Jim Miller was awarded the fight via unanimous decision (29-28 across the board) and both fighters walked away with a $65,000 bonus for this fight. I’m excited to see who Miller and Lauzon fight next in 2013.