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Jim Miller not ready to retire after becoming part of history at UFC 200

Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar are the only other fighters to fight at both UFC 100, UFC 200

UFC 200 Presser and Face Off

L.E. Baskow

UFC 200 fighter Jim Miller responds happily to a reporter’s question during a media day interview at the MGM Grand on Wednesday, July 6, 2016.

UFC 200 News Conference

UFC 200 fighter Brock Lesnar makes a joke during a news conference at the MGM Grand on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Launch slideshow »

UFC veteran Jim Miller has seen it all inside the octagon.

His up-and-down career has seen the highs of choking out Melvin Guillard and coming out the victor in a blood-soaked brawl against Joe Lauzon, and the lows of losing four of his last five bouts.

But Saturday night will be a night of firsts, even for Miller.

When he and Takanori Gomi touch gloves in the middle of the octagon at UFC 200, they’ll be the first mixed martial arts fighters to do so in the newly opened T-Mobile Arena.

“It says something to be able to come in and kick the night off, and I’m excited for the opportunity to go out, put on a show and start the card off right,” Miller said.

It’s no easy task to be the opening act of what has been billed as the biggest night in MMA history, but Miller has always proven up to any task put in front of him.

Of the 22 times he’s stepped into the octagon in his UFC career, he’s earned a performance of the night bonus in seven of them — tied for 10th most in UFC history.

“I guess it’s a sign of respect for the way I fight,” Miller said. “It hasn’t always been the easiest and I think I’ve lost a couple fights that I could have won had I fought more conservatively, but I’m not out there just to get the win. I’m out there to dominate guys and beat the tar out of them.”

Miller will also be the first fighter to participate in both UFC 100 and 200 — shortly followed by headliner Brock Lesnar. Jon Jones would have qualified but was removed from the event over a possible drug violation.

“It’s a huge honor,” Miller said. “I’ve had the opportunity to be on a lot of big cards. I asked for the opportunity immediately after my last fight and (UFC Matchmaker) Joe (Silva) gave it to me.”

At UFC 100 in 2009, Miller won a unanimous decision over Mac Danzig. At the time Miller was 14-2 and flying high. Seven years later, Miller has hit a rough patch but still feels he is far superior to the UFC 100 version of himself.

“It’s a big change in the abilities that I have,” Miller said. “Yeah I was young and more flexible and I was a good fighter, but technically I’ve gotten so much better and I’m really anxious to show that off.”

There was talk that Miller may retire after this Saturday’s fight, but Miller is not ready to step away yet.

“When I asked to fight on UFC 200, it was going to be my last fight because I feel like the fans have earned the right for me to retire in front of them," Miller said. "But I kind of fixed some of the problems that I was having and righted the ship. I feel way better than I have in the last two or three camps that I’ve had.”

Miller isn’t the only thing that’s undergone major changes since UFC 100. The sport of MMA has grown exponentially since the last milestone event.

“It really is day and night,” Miller said. “It was my fourth fight at UFC 100 so I didn’t have as much notoriety but now I get recognized even living in a small town in New Jersey. It’s pretty cool to be a part of it and as you can see the sport has just exploded since then and it’s continuing to go up.”

With 34 professional fights under his belt, Miller has become accustomed to the spotlight.

“It doesn’t feel any different,” Miller said. “I probably felt more pressure for UFC 100 because I was only a couple fights in but at this point it’s my 23rd time in the octagon so it’s regular business for me.”

But it takes two to put on a great fight for the fans, and looking across the cage at Miller will be Gomi – who has a flair for the dramatic himself.

Gomi has won three performance of the night bonuses during his 10-fight run in the UFC, and is a former lightweight champion in PRIDE.

“I always try to entertain everyone and we will show the fans everything that we have inside the octagon,” Gomi said.

Gomi will attempt to keep the fight standing and land a knockout punch, but Miller – the owner of 13 career submission victories – has other plans.

“I want to take him down and dominate him on the ground,” Miller said. “I know that if I put him on his back he’s going to make a mistake and I’m going to capitalize. I’m just going to go in there, beat him up and choke him out.”

Jesse Granger can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Jesse on Twitter at twitter.com/JesseGranger_.

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