UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller comes from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey tonight and has a start time of 8pm ET. Mixed martial arts most recognized brand, the UFC, returns to network television tonight with another stacked fight card. The latest UFC Odds are favoring Miller at -200 on the moneyline to take out the always tough Diaz. UFC Picks have Pat Barry, Johny Hendricks, and Rousimar Palhares listed as undercard favorites in tonight’s highly anticipated event.
The always brash Nate Diaz will look to put himself in the thick of the lightweight title chase tonight when he battles Jim Miller at the IZOD Center. Diaz, The Ultimate Fighter 5 champion, has been in this spot before, but he has never been able to close the deal when the lights are shining brightest. But give him credit for working on his game and continually getting back into the title chase.
After back-to-back losses to Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald, the Stockton, California native appeared as though he may never stare down a champion inside the Octagon. And he may not, but he recovered from those setbacks and reignited contender talk with scintillating wins over Takanori Gomi (first round submission) and Donald Cerrone (unanimous decision) late last year.
Diaz, an excellent striker who also possesses incredible submission skills, may be facing his toughest opponent to date in Miller, though. Miller, who as a native of Sparta, New Jersey will be fighting in his own backyard this evening, is 10-2 in the UFC and 21-3 in 24 professional fights.
Following a 2009 loss to Gray Maynard, Miller reeled off seven straight wins, beating respected fighters like Mac Danzig, Duane Ludwig, Mark Bocek, and Charles Oliveira. That incredible run ended in August of last year when the 28 year old suffered a unanimous decision loss to current lightweight champion Benson Henderson. Miller wasted little time returning to his winning ways, though, recording a first round submission in his next fight, a late January meeting with the heavy handed Melvin Guillard.
Like Diaz, Miller is solid on his feet, but his real strength is, without question, his jiu-jitsu. Twelve of Miller’s 21 wins have come via submission and fight fans can rest assured tonight’s game plan will involve getting Diaz to the ground in order to negate his opponent’s tremendous reach advantage.
This should be an exceptional main event scarp as both fighters are technically sound but also more than willing to trade leather. While a Miller victory is expected, Diaz, at +160 moneyline odds, represents the value in this compelling match-up.
MMA Live: UFC on Fox 3 Preview: MMA Live previews this weekend's UFC card in New Jersey.
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