LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Late replacement opponents happen all the time in MMA as a byproduct of a highly physical combat sport, but for UFC lightweight Jim Miller, it’s made almost ridiculous as he faces yet another late replacement in Jesse Butler at UFC Vegas 74.
“Yeah, business as usual. So that’s three in a row that opponents pulled out of two weeks or less into the event. I think that’s a total of 9, maybe 9 times in my career, with the UFC,” Miller told reporters Wednesday.
What he didn’t know was that his replacement opponent Jared Gordon would be pulled from the fight the day before. Jesse Butler came along at very short notice to fight one of the longest-tenured fighters in the UFC.
“I’m training to be the best all-around fighter I can be. At this point, I’ve fought everyone from tall, skinny, left 6’4 to guys my height, right. Wrestlers, wrestlers, and batters,” Miller said.
“I appreciate it when guys are willing to step up. A lot of fighters say ‘anytime, anywhere, anywhere’ and sometimes those guys don’t say yes.”
Quitting a fight is not something Miller considered. Having fought who he is in the UFC, he’s seen it all at this point and is just focused on being the best version of himself in the cage.
“I had already had a month of training and was screwing my ass off. I didn’t want to do it for another two months, so yeah,” Miller said.
“I want to fight. I want to end my career the way I started my professional career which is aggressive, combative and energetic. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Watch the entire Media Day with Jim Miller above. He will face Jesse Butler at UFC Vegas 74 on Saturday night.