Jim Miller to replace Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Wiman at “UFC Fight for the Troops”
December 2, 2008 by Sam Caplan
An injury sustained during training has forced lightweight competitor Frankie Edgar out of a scheduled bout vs. Matt Wiman during next Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 16: “UFC Fight for the Troops” event.
Replacing Edgar will be another New Jersey based fighter, up and coming lightweight prospect Jim Miller.
FiveOuncesOfPain.com learned of the news exclusively after speaking with a source close to one of the fighters.
Miller currently trains out of the AMA Fight Club and possesses an impressive mixed martial arts record of 12-1-0. Miller holds victories over Nuri Shakir, Chris Liguori, and Bart Palaszewski. Incidentally, his sole loss came against Edgar, the fighter he is replacing.
Formerly of the IFL, Miller made his UFC debut at UFC 89 in October, where he submitted French fighter David Baron with a rear naked choke at 3:19 of round 2.
Wiman, an alum from the fifth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality television show on Spike TV, has been on a roll as of late and saw his profile in the UFC’s lightweight division increase greatly following a second round knockout over Thiago Tavares at UFC 85 in June.
Prior to appearing on TUF, Wiman had fought once before in the UFC, losing to Spencer Fisher at UFC 60. However, since appearing on the show he is 4-0 inside of the Octagon.
“UFC Fight for the Troops” will air as a live three-hour special on Spike TV and is being promoted to raise funds for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a charity founded to help brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces recover from traumatic brain injuries.
In addition to Wiman vs. Miller, co-featured fights will include bouts between Josh Koscheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida and Mike Swick vs. Jonathan Goulet. The undercard will feature five veterans of both the Navy and the Marines.
At least the UFC came up with a great replacement on short notice.This is still an excellent match-up.
Good break for Wiman. No disrespect to Miller, but Edgar would have been a tougher fight. Regardless of skill level, Edgar has lots more experience.
Mike, Jim Miller has been training longer than Edgar and has a few more fights under his belt. Don’t underestimate Miller — the kid is scary good and within two years I predict he’ll be a top ten lightweight (in the world… not just the UFC). Assuming Miller isn’t in horrible shape, I think he beats Wiman.
Jim Miller is so much better than anyone realizes. He is the future of the lightweight division.
I hear ya, Sam. I’m not very familiar with Miller, but I did check him out on-line. Good record but lost a unanimous decision to Edgar in 2006. I just think Edgar’s faced tougher opponents more often, and he only lost to Maynard. Wiman’s on a winning streak right now, so Wiman v. Miller should be a good fight.
Ruined! Ruined! Ruined! Damn. I am a HUGE Edgar fan. Damn….heal up fast Frankie. *shakes head* damn…
the problem for Wiman is that Miller will be just as tough as Edgar but he wont get the big name win if he does pull it out… I was at the Edgar/Miller fight in Atlantic City and it was a great fight, Edgar won that unam decesion, the only trouble edgar was in was at the end of rd.3 he got caught in a guillotine but of corse didnt tap!
forgot to say i think Miller will win by sub, also think edgar would of won by decision…. these are some seriously tough jersey boys!
Brian, that says volumes considering you’re a top lightweight prospect in your own right. Do you know when you’ll be fighting next?
Edgar or Miller
Both AWESOME fighters out of the Garden State
I would love to see Jim win.
Its about time these guys started getting some REAL national press.
Maybe the UFC will be in Philly soon, I am hearing whispers
this is great news. ive been anticipating seeing either of the Miller bros fight.