UFC 100 Preview: Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller
by Zak Woods on Jul 8, 2009 10:30 AM EDT
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Mac Danzig (18-6-1, 2-2 UFC) vs. Jim MIller (13-2, 2,1 UFC)
When Mac Danzig appeared on The Ultimate FIghter season six many observers saw him as an early favorite. Danzig had competed in Pride --though it was only one fight and a loss to Hayato Sakurai-- and was a former King of the Cage champion. Fans though saw Danzig as a talented basket case succumbing to the pressure of the TUF house. Mac came through the crucible by defeating Tommy Speer in the Finale. At that point Danzig announced he would drop to lightweight and most fans assumed that he would go on to have a successful career like most TUF champions.
Sadly, that was not the case.
Danzig first ran into a surprisingly game Mark Bocek. While Danzig pulled out the victory it was no cake walk as Bocek pushed him hard. Danzig followed his lightweight victory by dropping two bouts in a row. The first to Clay Guida and the second a submission loss to Josh Neer. Now it appears that Danzig's UFC career may be skating on thin ice.
Jim Miller is the lightweight brother of Dan Miller. Both were competitors in the now defunct IFL. Miller entered the UFC at UFC 89 and defeated David Baron. Jim then took a fight on short notice against TUF season five alum, Matt Wiman. Again Miller found victory and became a trendy pick in his next fight against rising lightweight prospect, Gray Maynard. Miller was no match for Maynard's wrestling skills as Gray easily scored an unanimous decision.
Conventional Wisdom: If Danzig loses this fight he could be looking for a new job. That would make Mac Danzig the first TUF winner to be cut by the UFC (if we don't include Travis Lutter from season four, since that cast were UFC fighters before). Danzig doesn't have the size or wrestling skills to put Miller through the Maynard wrestling clinic again. Thus most observers are assuming that Danzig will follow his pension for the stand up game, which should be fine with Miller.
WKR Analysis: The specter of Danzig being cut will cause Mac to act tentative early on. Miller will oblige the slow start and both fighters will feel each other out with jabs and other strikes from distance. If Danzig can fight a cerebral fight and not fall into a high energy sea-saw battle he has a chance to prolong his UFC career. Miller may try to employ Clay Guida's strategy but it is more than likely this fight turns into a standing affair.
Fun Fact: Mac Danzig is a vegan.
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If Danzig comes out like he did against Guida and Neer then he’ll lose. He’s looked very average since TUF and to be fair there was a very weak cast in that season. I like Miller a lot. He’s got good submissions and his boxing is decent. I’d say he should win a decision.
" Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated "
- Hemingway
Danzig win, lose, or draw, needs to drop to 145. He will not have much success in this division
by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 8, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions
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