Jim Miller not concerned with fighting at altitude for first time at UFC Rio Rancho

MMA News

Jim Miller not concerned with fighting at altitude for first time at UFC Rio Rancho

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Even with 15 years of experience in MMA, Jim Miller will have a first at UFC on ESPN+ 25.

The lightweight veteran takes on Scott Holtzman at Saturday’s event from Santa Ana Star Center. The bout with Holtzman marks the first time Miller (31-13 MMA, 20-12 UFC) fights at high altitude with, Rio Rancho being 5,000 feet above sea level.

Miller, who’s known for his pace and conditioning, is not concerned with stamina issues fighting at high elevation.

“This is really the first time that I’ve fought at any altitude,” Miller told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “Yeah, a majority of my fights, you know, they’re in Jersey, Vegas, Texas. I haven’t had that to deal with yet.

“I’m not really concerned with it. It’s one of those things, you know. I’m in great shape right now. I’ve had experience at altitude just not fighting at it. And if you’re in shape, it shouldn’t be an issue.”

Miller didn’t go too out of his way to address the altitude in camp but did take some minor precautions in the lead-up to the event. The 36-year-old arrived in Albuquerque on Saturday, a week before the fight, to get a little more accustomed to the elevation.

“I did come out here a little early,” Miller said. “We came out Saturday, so yeah, I’ve been here for a few extra days just trying to get used to the altitude. It hasn’t been anything too rough. It’s just one of those things. I live at 600 feet above sea level, so we’re coming up over 5,000. It’s a little bit different, yeah.”

Miller enters the bout with Holtzman with back-to-back submission wins over Jason Gonzalez and Clay Guida. UFC Rio Rancho will be his 34th fight with the UFC, which would tie Donald Cerrone’s record for most in UFC history.

Like most, Miller finds that pretty cool.

“You do think about it. It does pop into mind,” Miller said. “It’s not one of those things that, like, it’s not going to be my crowning achievement. It’s not going to be the thing that I remember about my fighting career. But it is cool, and it’s one of those things that the times are changing. It’s getting harder to fight as often, unless you’re Donald Cerrone – he just gets all the offers. It’s a cool stat.

“I think that Cerrone and I will get up there a few more, and a few of the other guys that are right behind us, some of them may be able to keep up. I know the guy who’s right behind us, Demian Maia, he’s planning on getting out, so we’ll see. I did have the idea maybe we’ll (Cerrone and Miller) get to like, 40, you know, 39, and then we’ll fight each other at 40. It would be cool, you know, UFC 300. It’s not too far away either, so fight on 100, 200 and 300. That would be pretty neat.”

Jim Miller not concerned with fighting at altitude for first time at UFC Rio Rancho