UFC Veteran Jim Miller Eyes Historic Milestones Before Retirement

MIAMI, Fla. — Veteran UFC fighter Jim Miller, who has established himself as a staple of the lightweight division, is gearing up for his 46th fight this Saturday. With a decorated career that includes the most fights and wins in UFC history, Miller looks ahead to fulfilling key bucket list items as he prepares to retire after his 50th bout.

Miller, 35, is set to face off against rising star Emmet Hooper at UFC 314, but he has not ruled out the possibility of challenging higher-ranked opponents as he approaches the twilight of his career. “Opponent wise, there’s so many tough guys,” Miller told MMA Fighting. “So many guys that I’m a fan of that I’d like to fight. I love the idea of standing across from Justin Gaethje. I think that’s just a trainwreck of a fight.”

Gaethje, currently one of the top contenders in the lightweight rankings, is a fighter that Miller respects immensely. The prospect of sharing the octagon with Gaethje for his 50th fight appeals to Miller, who emphasized the desire to go out on a high note. “It’s a fight that would take some work on my end to make it happen,” he said. “My job is to show up healthy, in shape and ready to go. I don’t get paid matchmaker money.”

In addition to facing Gaethje, Miller has expressed a desire to fight at home in New Jersey before he retires. Although he has previously fought close to home, he hopes to compete at the Prudential Center one last time. The UFC is scheduled to host an event in New Jersey this June, but Miller’s focus remains on his upcoming fight in Miami. “I’d like to fight at the Prudential Center again. Fighting in Newark is my home court,” he said. “I’m hoping that timing works out.”

Miller is aware of the limited time he has left in the Octagon. He has a finite number of fights left and wishes to keep a steady pace of every four to five months between bouts in order to avoid putting off his retirement too long. “Time is a commodity. As I get older, everything gets a little bit harder,” he explained.

With four fights remaining on his contract, Miller is determined to reach his milestone of 50 fights within the UFC. Reflecting on his storied career, he believes that reaching this mark will set a high standard for future fighters: “I think that’s a mountain-peak that nobody else will get to. Nobody else is going to reach that, I don’t think.”

As Miller approaches this pivotal moment in his career, he is intent on sharing the experience with his fans. When the time comes for his 50th fight, he plans to communicate openly about it so that fans can join in the momentous occasion. “It’s lifting that thing off your shoulders. It’s a weight,” he said. “I want everybody to know it’s going to be my last one, and thinking about it gets me jazzed up.”