- Dan Miller (fighter)
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Dan Miller Born Daniel James Miller
June 30, 1981
Sparta Township, New Jersey, United StatesNationality American Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) Division Middleweight Reach 74.0 in (188 cm) Style Freestyle, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fighting out of Whippany, New Jersey Team AMA Fight Club Trainer Mike Constantino
Jiu-Jitsu: Jamie CruzRank black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Years active 2005–present, Mixed martial arts record Total 20 Wins 13 By knockout 1 By submission 8 By decision 4 Losses 6 By decision 6 No contests 1 Other information Notable relatives Jim Miller brother Notable school(s) Sparta High School Website http://www.millerbrothersmma.com/ Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog last updated on: January 15, 2010 Daniel James Miller (born June 30, 1981) is an American Middleweight mixed martial artist signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the older brother of fellow MMA fighter Jim Miller.
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Martial arts background
Miller began his mixed martial arts career in 2005, when he began training at Planet Jiu-Jitsu. He entered into the sport with a background in wrestling, which he had competed in from his childhood in Sparta Township, New Jersey through high school, when he attended Sparta High School.[1]
On January 15, 2010, Miller received his BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie black belt Jamie Cruz.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Miller had his first professional fight November 19, 2005 against Tenyeh Dixon at Reality Fighting 10 and was victorious by Triangle Choke in the first round. Miller followed the Dixon fight with a victory over Jay Coleman at Reality Fighting 11 by Armbar, setting up a #1 contender match against Mike Massenzio. As the main event at Reality Fighting 12, Massenzio and Miller fought to a close decision, with Miller's submission attempts earning the victory on one judge's card and Massenzio's strong takedowns earning the victory on two cards, and the fight.
Miller's next fight came at the Cage Fury Fighting Championships where he took on Dave Perez. Miller landed a strong upkick from his back early before controlling the rest of the fight. Perez failed to answer the bell for round 2, and Miller's victory earned him a title shot at CFFC II. Miller fought Lance Everson at CFFC II for the Cage Fury Fighting Championships Middleweight Title. The fight was highlighted by a powerful slam by Miller which led to a Rear Naked Choke which earned Miller the first round victory and the title.
Following CFFC II, Planet Jiu Jitsu closed down. Miller began training at American Martial Arts in Whippany, New Jersey with his brother Gabe in January, 2007.
Miller defended his title April 13, 2007 against Rhino Fight Team's Jose Rodriguez in his first fight with AMA Fight Club. Miller's brother Jim also fought on the card; the first time the brothers had fought together since Reality Fighting 12 and both were victorious. Using his strong wrestling and Jiu Jitsu skills, Miller took Rodriguez to the ground on multiple occasions, and dealt damage from on top. Though Miller attained the mount twice, and had an attempted Armbar in the third round, Rodriguez proved to be tough and the fight went to the judges where Miller was granted the unanimous 30–27 victory.
Miller made his IFL debut when he fought for Renzo Gracie's New York Pitbulls in the 2007 IFL Semifinals in East Rutherford, New Jersey, filling in for the injured Fabio Leopaldo. Miller fought the Tokyo Sabres' Dave Phillips in the first fight between the teams. After a quick slam by Miller, Phillips established guard and attempted an armbar. Miller slammed out, and in the scramble secured Phillips' neck in a Standing Guillotine Choke. IFL Commentator Bas Rutten called the choke, which rendered Phillips unconscious, "the tightest guillotine [he'd] ever seen," and Miller earned the Submission-of-the-Night award for it.
He defeated Ryan McGivern by kneebar to win the IFL middleweight championship. He currently holds middleweight titles in both the IFL and Cage Fury Fighting Championships. He was the final middleweight champion in the IFL.[3]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On July 23, 2008, it was announced that the UFC had signed both Dan Miller and his brother Jim each to four fight contracts.[4] Miller was successful in his UFC debut against Rob Kimmons at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer, winning via rear naked choke.
Miller returned to the Octagon and won a unanimous decision against Matt Horwich at UFC 90 on October 25, 2008. He had another win by submission (guillotine choke) against Jake Rosholt at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens on February 7, 2009.
Originally, Miller was scheduled to fight again at UFC 98 against Yushin Okami, but Okami sustained an injury and was replaced by Chael Sonnen.[5] He lost via unanimous decision as Sonnen took him down at will and ground and pounded for three rounds en route to a victory. He was scheduled to fight C.B. Dollaway on September 16, 2009 at UFC Fight Night 19, but got an infection and had to withdraw.[6][7]
Miller lost a unanimous decision to Demian Maia on February 6, 2010 at UFC 109.[8]
Miller next lost a unanimous decision to Michael Bisping on May 29, 2010 at UFC 114.[9]
Miller faced John Salter on August 28, 2010 at UFC 118, replacing an injured Phil Baroni. Miller earned a much needed win via submission in the second round, it was his first victory since February 7, 2009 at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens.
Miller next defeated Joe Doerksen on December 11, 2010 at UFC 124 via split decision.[10]
Miller faced Nate Marquardt on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128.[11] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Miller faced Rousimar Palhares on August 27, 2011 at UFC 134, replacing an injured Alexandre Ferreira and lost by unanimous decision.[12]
Personal life
Miller is married.[13] The couple lost their first child, a daughter in May 2009. Their second child, a boy named Daniel Jr., has struggled with health problems.[14]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown 20 matches 13 wins 6 losses By knockout 1 0 By submission 8 0 By decision 4 6 No contests 1 Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes Loss 13-6 (1) Rousimar Palhares Decision (unanimous) UFC 134 August 27, 2011 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss 13-5 (1) Nate Marquardt Decision (unanimous) UFC 128 March 19, 2011 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States Win 13-4 (1) Joe Doerksen Decision (split) UFC 124 December 11, 2010 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win 12-4 (1) John Salter Submission (ninja choke) UFC 118 August 28, 2010 2 1:53 Boston, Massachusetts, United States Loss 11-4 (1) Michael Bisping Decision (unanimous) UFC 114 May 29, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss 11-3 (1) Demian Maia Decision (unanimous) UFC 109 February 6, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss 11-2 (1) Chael Sonnen Decision (unanimous) UFC 98 May 23, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win 11-1 (1) Jake Rosholt Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens February 7, 2009 1 1:03 Tampa, Florida, United States Win 10-1 (1) Matt Horwich Decision (unanimous) UFC 90 October 25, 2008 3 5:00 Rosemont, Illinois, United States Win 9-1 (1) Rob Kimmons Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer September 17, 2008 1 1:27 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win 8-1 (1) Ryan McGivern Submission (kneebar) IFL: Connecticut May 16, 2008 1 3:36 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Won IFL Middleweight Title NC 7-1 (1) Mike Geurin No contest (miller injured by accidental headbutt) Ring of Combat 18 March 7, 2008 1 0:34 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win 7-1 John Howard Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 17: Beast of the Northeast Finals November 30, 2007 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win 6-1 Dave Phillips Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: 2007 Semifinals August 2, 2007 1 1:30 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Win 5-1 Jose Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 4 April 13, 2007 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended Cage Fury Middleweight Title Win 4-1 Lance Everson Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 2 October 6, 2006 1 2:26 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won Cage Fury Middleweight Title Win 3-1 Dave Perez TKO (corner stoppage) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 1 June 30, 2006 1 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss 2-1 Mike Massenzio Decision (split) Reality Fighting 12: Return to Boardwalk Hall April 29, 2006 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win 2-0 Jay Coleman Submission (armbar) Reality Fighting 11: Battle at Taj Mahal February 11, 2006 1 N/A Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win 1-0 Tenyeh Dixon Submission (triangle choke) Reality Fighting 10 November 19, 2005 1 2:20 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States References
- ^ McCullough, Andy. "Ex-Sparta High wrestlers Jim and Dan Miller make UFC a family affair", The Star-Ledger, March 26, 2010. Accessed June 28, 2011. "Day after day, Mike Miller heard his boys brawling. His two 20-something sons worked construction with him, on the job at 7 a.m., out in the sun during the summer. When work slowed, Jim and Dan tussled in basements and dumpsters, 'beating the crap out of each other,' Jim said. So Mike waited. He understood. The boys missed competition. Both had wrestled at Sparta High School."
- ^ "UFC Middleweight Dan Miller Awarded BJJ Black Belt". BJJGrappler.com. 2010-01-15. http://www.bjjgrappler.com/2010/01/15/ufc-middleweight-dan-miller-awarded-bjj-black-belt/.
- ^ Statistics for Mixed Martial Arts Fighters
- ^ UFC signs IFL champ Dan Miller and brother Gabe Miller | MMAjunkie.com
- ^ Chael Sonnen fills in for Yushin Okami against Dan Miller at UFC 98
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Middleweights Demian Maia and Dan Miller targeted for UFC 108 contest in January". mmajunkie.com. 2009-10-16. http://mmajunkie.com/news/16516/middleweights-demian-maia-and-dan-miller-targeted-for-ufc-108-contest-in-january.mma.
- ^ "BISPING VS. MILLER LIKELY FOR UFC 114 IN LAS VEGAS". mmaweekly.com. http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=10864&zoneid=6. Retrieved 2010-03-01.[dead link]
- ^ "MILLER VS. DOERKSEN HEADED TO UFC 124". mmaweekly.com. http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=12808&zoneid=13. Retrieved 2010-10-06.[dead link]
- ^ "Nick Catone vs. Dan Miller on tap for UFC 128 in New Jersey". mmajunkie.com. 2011-1-05. http://mmajunkie.com/news/21987/nick-catone-vs-dan-miller-on-tap-for-ufc-128-in-new-jersey.mma.
- ^ "Dan Miller replaces injured "Cacareco," meets Rousimar Palhares at UFC 134". mmajunkie.com. July 6, 2011. http://mmajunkie.com/news/24293/dan-miller-replaces-injured-cacareco-meets-rousimar-palhares-at-ufc-134.mma.
- ^ Millers Sweep to Begin Wedding Weekend
- ^ "Family man Dan Miller takes heavy heart into Saturday's UFC 114 co-main event". MMAJUNKIE.com. 2010-05-28. http://mmajunkie.com/news/19330/family-man-dan-miller-takes-heavy-heart-into-saturdays-ufc-114-co-main-event.mma. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
External links
Preceded by
Ryan McGivern3rd IFL Middleweight Champion
May 16, 2008 – July 31, 2008Succeeded by
IFL ceased operationsCategories:- American mixed martial artists
- Middleweight mixed martial artists
- 1981 births
- Living people
- Mixed martial artists from New Jersey
- American practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- People from Sparta Township, New Jersey
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
