UFC 103 Preview: The Prelims

Jim Miller vs. Steve Lopez

The Storyline: Joe Silva loves the Miller Brothers. Jim and his older brother, Dan, have repaid the faith the UFC matchmaker showed in them when he snatched them from the International Fight League’s bankrupt assets. The younger Miller has lost only twice in his career, and those defeats came by decision to current UFC lightweight contenders Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. As a result, he was rewarded with what appears to be an easier opponent on paper, a fact which could allow him to join the title fray.

The Breakdown: Without wanting to take anything away from Lopez -- a fine athlete who can prove his doubters wrong at UFC 103 -- he will have to put up with the criticism of having padded his record, at least to a degree. The toughest fight of his career, against journeyman Billy Stamp, ended in a split decision loss for the 25-year-old South Bend, Ind., native.

The reasons to like Miller in this fight are numerous. A well-rounded, strong offensive wrestler, he can more than hold his own on the ground as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt. If one aspect of his game needs more work than the others, it is his stand-up. So far, Miller has come through with his superb cardio, iron chin and excellent work rate.

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The Prediction: A fight against somebody like Miller represents a significant step up in competition for Lopez. Even if he manages to hang tough, expect a choke-related submission victory for Miller in one of the later rounds.