Preview: UFC on ESPN 46 ‘Kara-France vs. Albazi’

Lightweights

Jared Gordon (19-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. Jim Miller (35-17, 24-16 UFC)

ODDS: Gordon (-190), Miller (+160)

The most prolific fighter in UFC history, Miller might actually make it to his longstanding goal of retiring at UFC 300—an impressive bit of business for someone who has had plenty of ups and downs in his 40-plus trips to the Octagon. Miller spent years as an elite action fighter who never quite made it to title contention, and his career seemed to be on its last legs by the time UFC 200 rolled around. His one-sided win over Takanori Gomi was his best showing among a string of the flattest performances of Miller's career. As it turns out, that was due to an undiagnosed case of Lyme disease, and once that was discovered and treated, Miller turned things around and settled in as a dangerous veteran. Miller still suffers his fair share of losses, as he did in his last fight against Alexander Hernandez, but he has still proven capable of annihilating one-dimensional prospects like Nikolas Motta or his fellow longtime vets like Donald Cerrone, earning enough wins to stay relevant and staving off the type of depressing vibes that mark a lot of late-career stretches. This time around, Miller takes on Gordon, who steps in on late notice in a quick turnaround from a no contest against Bobby Green in April. Gordon has had an interesting run in the UFC, initially coming into the promotion as a top featherweight prospect before running into a few issues. He suddenly found himself unable to make weight at 145 pounds, and lightweight fights saw him get his chin cracked, turning what was an effective pressure style on the regional scene into a clear liability against better competition. “Flash” eventually found a bit more of a balance and earned a string of success as a result, though there is some worry that Gordon may have overcompensated and become too patient. He has clearly reduced his risk, but his relative inactivity led to a controversial decision loss to Paddy Pimblett in December, and he did not get much done before an accidental clash of heads effectively ended his fight against Green. Even if the previous version of Gordon would have put much more of a stamp on this fight against Miller, this figures to be his fight to lose. Miller needs to pick his spots much more in his later years, and if all else fails, Gordon has the type of wrestling game that can be effective in banking some time and winning rounds as needed. The pick is Gordon via decision.

Jump To »
Kara-France vs. Albazi
Caceres vs. Pineda
Gordon vs. Miller
Elliott vs. Altamirano
Silva vs. Souza
Nurmagomedov vs. Zaleski dos Santos
The Prelims