UFC Fight Night Breakdown: The Undercard

Jake Rosholt vs. Dan Miller

Jake Rosholt Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’1/185 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: Sand Point, Idaho
Fighting out of: Las Vegas
Record: 5-0

The breakdown: After a less than impressive WEC debut against Nissen Osterneck, Rosholt now has to face an even better grappler who has already conquered the infamous UFC jitters. Given that unenviable task, what Rosholt has to do is learn from his struggles with Osterneck by ditching any attempts at striking in favor of a more straightforward ground-and-pound approach. That would keep Rosholt in his comfort zone and allow him to conserve energy instead of wasting it all in 30 seconds flat.

The X factor: Let’s face it, Rosholt’s WEC debut was the biggest primetime fiasco since the last episode of “Alf.” It was bizarre and unsatisfying yet left you wanting more for some reason. Unless Rosholt can keep his nerves under control this time, we might just see him pull a Bill Russell and spew before the opening bell.

Dan Miller Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’1/185 lbs.
Age: 27
Hometown: Sparta, N.J.
Fighting out of: Whippany, N.J.
Record: 10-1(1NC)

The breakdown: Hardly the super-prospect that Rosholt has been advertised as, Miller is a blue-collar wrestler who also happens to have a strong submission base to go with it. The wrestling part of his game will likely go out the window against Rosholt, who is a cash-money millionaire on the wrestling mat and a middleweight Herculoid. All that won’t matter much, though, if Miller can keep an active guard and push the pace on Rosholt, who was quick to buckle under the pressure of an opponent who wouldn’t back down.

The X factor: Despite relying heavily on submission savvy throughout his career, Miller has always been accustomed to being the better wrestler come fight time. How the frustration of being out-wrestled will play on Miller’s psyche and how he adapts to that adversity will be what decides his fate.

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The bottom line: Judging from the fits Rosholt had corralling Osterneck, Miller makes for a rough matchup. His quick hands and active ground game are ready-made to frustrate Rosholt’s nascent style. The early going will favor Rosholt’s wrestling and strongman tactics, but Miller’s pace and experience will be too much.