2 weeks Ago By Lewis Thompson
The full card for UFC 309 has been announced and there is one notable inclusion. Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will take centre stage at Madison Square Garden on November 16 for what is set to be a blockbuster event. Charles Oliveira will also face the returning Michael Chandler , who was originally meant to fight Conor McGregor , in a five-round co-main event.
But one of the most standout fights that is set to take place at UFC 309 in New York includes 41-year-old Jim Miller as he faces Damon Jackson. Miller is among the UFC’s longest-serving competitors and holds the record for the most fights and wins in the organisation. He is the only fighter to have appeared at UFC 100, UFC 200 and most recently UFC 300 in April.
‘A-10’ made his debut for Dana White’s promotion all the way back in 2008 and has since won 26 of an incredible 44 fights in the UFC. He has fought some of the biggest stars in the history of MMA , including Nate Diaz , Charles Oliveira , Dustin Poirier and Donald Cerrone . One of the most incredible things about Miller’s longevity is the fact he suffered from Lyme disease in the buildup to his UFC 200 fight in July 2016.
“When I first started talking about [UFC 300] I was like 'OK, maybe I'll drag myself to that card', because that's what I was doing for 200 - I was having a really rough time," Miller told BBC Sport in April. "I feel I have four parts to my career - the prelim career, Lyme disease, coming out of Lyme and figuring out how to make this work being over 35. And now I've figured it out and got the right people around me.
" Miller’s future was uncertain beyond UFC 200 and he planned to battle the disease before considering retirement, but he is still here and fighting. Although he has won five of his last seven UFC bouts, Miller suffered defeat in brutal fashion during his last outing against Bobby Green, who has previously lost to Paddy Pimblett, at UFC 300. The fight went the distance and Green won via unanimous-decision, but Miller was beaten badly and left bloodied up towards the end of the bout.
He was cut one minute into round three and later revealed he broke his hand in the same round, as well as breaking his toe and having to receive 23 stitches. UFC commentator Jon Anik even said on commentary during the fight that he could ‘smell the blood from the booth' that dripped from Miller. Miller has never fought for UFC gold during his 16-year career in White’s promotion, but says that will not define his legacy.
"Honestly I've received nothing but respect from my peers and that means a lot to me," he said . "I respect everyone I stand across from in the octagon, because this is not an easy life, it's not an easy lifestyle. A lot of sacrifices have to be made.
"We're more peers than it's made out to be. Everybody loves the drama and the bickering - it sells. But it's something special to be here, to set your feet off on that canvas.
" Miller once said in a 2020 interview that he would demand to be on a UFC 300 card and that would be his ‘last one’. However, he’s still here and a victory on November 16 against Green in the lightweight division may even provide the motivation to make him go for even longer. MMA fans had a mixed reaction to the fight that will take place in the Big Apple.
One user took to X and said: "Miller hopefully retires after this, should've retired at UFC 300." While another added: "Both fighters are very aggressive and bloodthirsty in the cage, so hopefully it will be a good fight.@ A third said: "Dude, I thought Miller retired?" UFC 309 also sees Viviane Araujo take on Karine Silva in a women’s flyweight ranked bout, while hot prospect Bo Nickal faces Scotland’s Paul Craig.
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