With a slot at UFC 300 hanging in the balance, Jim Miller (37-17 MMA, 26-16 UFC) needed a solid performance against Gabriel Benitez (23-12 MMA, 7-7 UFC), and preferably one that left him relatively unscathed.
Miller found himself in an intense battle with fellow lightweight Gabriel Benitez through nearly two and a half rounds. However, Miller found a way to end the co-main bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas by submission, tapping Benitez with a face crank at 3:25 of Round 3.
ANOTHER ONE for @JimMiller_155 👏
He takes the all-time UFC wins record to 26 after that submission victory! #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/Rv8l3WSWd7
— UFC (@ufc) January 14, 2024
Miller was on the attack early with crisp combinations and digging leg kicks. Seemingly every strike Benitez landed prompted Miller to return fire even harder. A pair of brief clinch battles were won by Miller, connecting with nice knees to the body.
Benitez looked to build momentum quickly in Round 2, but Miller answered immediately, making for intense exchanges. Switching things up, Miller completed a double leg to take the fight to the ground. Hard short elbows from Miller scored, but Benitez kept him honest with a slick armbar attempt. Miller escaped, scrambled, and controlled the back until the horn.
Both fighters sported bruises and swelling to begin the final frame. Heavy punches and kicks were traded for the first half of the round. Miller once again scored a clean takedown, and found his way to Benitez’s back. This time, Miller got his arm fully under the neck, and forced the tap for his 12th UFC submission win, and breaking his own record with his 26th octagon victory.
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie