UFC 100 Preview: The Prelims

Mac Danzig (18-6-1) vs. Jim Miller (13-2)

The Breakdown: Two lightweights looking for a rebound win makes for one of the best scraps of the night, as Danzig and Miller need to get off the skids before the UFC shark tank turns them into chum. While both fighters have a dynamic offensive game, Miller’s wrestling is a skill Danzig cannot match, and it certainly wouldn’t be the first time his wrestling has cost him inside the cage. The wrestling disadvantage becomes especially critical when one considers Miller’s jiu-jitsu is every bit as good as Danzig’s. Plus, he has shown the combination of aggression and conditioning against which Danzig struggles.

The X Factor: For all of Miller’s dynamism on the ground, his striking remains an unknown commodity. Odds are Miller is in no hurry to put his strikes on display against Danzig, who has developed into a threat against most anyone on the feet, especially wrestlers allergic to being vertical. Keeping Miller from rushing him every few seconds with takedowns will be the opposite of fun, but Danzig has excellent footwork and it would only take a few brain bombs to get Miller feeling gunshy.

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The Bottom Line: If nothing else, this will be a “Fight of the Night” contender, as both men scrap as if Megan Fox were up for grabs. While Miller will not dominate with ground control, he will avoid just enough of Danzig’s heavy artillery on the feet to win over the judges table. As for Danzig, at least he can console himself with the knowledge that Fox is not actually at stake.