Would Jim Miller Beat Brock Lesnar?

Dana White shared whether a Miller-Lesnar bout could take place at UFC 300

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Who would win in a fight between Brock Lesnar and Jim Miller?

Anthony Smith says that Brock Lesnar vs. Jim Miller is a 50/50 fight pic.twitter.com/VqMeaQPSO9

— FullContactMTWF (@FullContactMTWF) January 9, 2024

That was the topic of discussion earlier this week between Anthony Smith and Michael Bisping on their Believe You Me show. Miller was aware of the conversation, and he was asked to share his opinion on the matter.

So, Miller was asked, who would win in a fight: you or Brock Lesnar?

“In the cage, I think it’s 50-50,” said Miller. “As a fighter, I train like the guy I’m training for is the best in the world in every aspect. But when I make that walk, I have to think I am the baddest mother----- on the planet. That’s what I would try to do.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

It wouldn’t be easy, but Miller is strong enough to isolate a part of Lesnar’s body and force a submission. That, of course, would be easier said than done.

“It’s just a matter of not letting him get on top of me,” said Miller. “If I put my arms around his neck, or if I isolated his arm, I could do it. But if he got on top of me, it would be a very short, brutal night.

“But I’d go into that fight believing I could win. No matter what, I always walk into the Octagon believing there isn’t a person on the planet who can beat me.”

If Miller and Lesnar were to meet in the streets, Miller would have an altogether different plan of attack.

“I’d have to hit him with my van,” said Miller with a laugh.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Both Lesnar and Miller have the distinction of fighting at UFC 100 and UFC 200. UFC CEO Dana White was asked whether a bout pitting Lesnar against Miller is a possibility for UFC 300, and he provided an honest answer.

“Highly unlikely,” said White.

While Miller is not scheduled to fight Lesnar, he does step back into the cage tomorrow against Gabriel Benítez at the first UFC Fight Night of the year.

Miller (36-17) already holds the most wins in UFC history (25), and he has won four of his last five contests. If the fight against Benítez (23-10) ends in his favor, then there is every reason to believe he will compete at UFC 300–potentially in a bout against Matt Brown.

“I’m going to get to 300,” said Miller. “I know absolutely anything can happen, but I’m gunning for 300.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Miller, 40, has been fighting professionally since 2005. His career began before his four children were born, and the world has changed dramatically throughout his career–though The Simpsons continues to air new shows. He is a piece of a past generation, yet one who continues to make an imprint in the modern-day era of the sport.

“I’ve earned my reputation through the way I conduct myself and the way I fight,” said Miller. “You’re going to see that version of me on Saturday. I’m going out there to fight and dominate, viciously and violently, hitting him as hard as I can, trying to take a limb off, or choke him unconscious.”

Even if UFC 300 is only three months away, Miller’s sole focus is not on what lays ahead, but rather what stands in his way.

“I’m going to be fighting as hard as I can–that’s my focus,” said Miller. “I’m not saving myself for 300. Gabriel is dangerous. I have to fight hard.

“This is going to be a tough fight, and I’m looking to bring my toughest and make him question why he took this fight.”

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Justin Gaethje was not offered UFC 300 bout against Charles Oliveira

Justin Gaethje was not offered the bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, sources close to the UFC have confirmed.

Right now, there are other plans for Gaethje, most likely involving a defense of his ceremonial BMF title. If it takes place against the right opponent, then that fight could headline any card, including UFC 300.

The lightweight title eliminator bout at UFC 300 pits Oliveira against Arman Tsarukyan. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will be waiting for the winner, with a title defense this summer making the most sense.

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Magomed Ankalaev on bout against Johnny Walker: “I have to finish him in a great way”

In December of 2022, it appeared Magomed Ankalaev was about to be crowned UFC light heavyweight champion.

Instead, he entered UFC purgatory. But for him, it has been hell.

Ankalaev endured a split draw in that UFC 282 bout against Jan Blachowicz, the December of 2022 bout to crown a new light heavyweight champion. In his return fight this past October at UFC 294, his bout ended in a no-contest against Johnny Walker after an illegal knee from Walker.

“The last two fights were wasted fights,” said Ankalaev, speaking through a translator. “Mentally, it tormented me.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Ankalaev (17-1-1, 1 NC) returns to the cage tomorrow in the UFC Fight Night headline bout against Walker, which should help determine the upper echelon of the division.

“I can’t tell you anything special about Johnny Walker,” said Ankalaev. “He is a little unorthodox, he’s jumpy and fidgety, but there isn’t much to say about his skill.

“I have to finish him in a great way. I need everyone to see that no one else is rightfully in line for the title other than me. I’m going to do everything I can to take his head off.”

The mere notion that Ankalaev was a poorly judged scorecard away from winning the title has haunted him. He will not gain closure, at the very least, until he gets another shot at the belt.

“I still continue to think I won, so mentally, it was a setback” said Ankalaev. “But you have to move forward. That’s what I am ready to do. It’s just a matter of time. We’ll do whatever it takes to get what’s ours.”

The rematch against Walker is a matchup that favors Ankalaev. Walker’s running knee is a genuine threat, but Ankalaev is the more polished striker and grappler. A victory here will put him back on the short list of title contenders.

“It’s going to be a violent fight,” said Ankalaev. “You’re going to see a very different Magomed Ankalaev in the cage.”

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The Pick ‘Em Section

UFC Fight Night light heavyweight bout: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker

Pick: Magomed Ankalaev

UFC Fight Night lightweight bout: Jim Miller vs. Gabriel Benítez

Pick: Jim Miller

UFC Fight Night flyweight bout: Manel Kape vs. Matheus Nicolau

Pick: Manel Kape

UFC Fight Night bantamweight bout: Ricky Simón vs. Mario Bautista

Pick: Ricky Simón

UFC Fight Night middleweight bout: Brunno Ferreira vs. Phil Hawes

Pick: Phil Hawes

2023 record: 142-85

2024 record: 0-0