Fundamentals took out flash Friday night.
Melvin Guillard looked spectacular at times, but after three minutes of wowing the crowd, he was caught in another choke and had to tap to the very steady and tough Jim Miller.
Guillard, a dynamic striker, was lighting up Miller when he made a big mistake. He left his feet to attempt his fourth flying knee of the fight. Miller was waiting and dumped him to the ground where he eventually locked on a rear-naked choke to finish things at the 2:02 mark of the first round in the main event of the UFC on FX 1 card in Nashville.
"It always something I've been able to do and then from there it was just about securing the position," Miller told UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik. "I'm pretty confident that I am the most dangerous lightweight in the world. I'm willing to make you guys believe that."
The dominant victory puts Miller (21-3, 10-2 UFC) right back in the middle of the UFC lightweight title hunt. A second straight loss Friday and he would've tumbled down the rankings. Miller lost badly his last time out against Ben Henderson. He revealed this week that he was battling some medical issues entering that fight. That's all in the past now.
Guillard's regarded as one of the most explosive fighters in any weight division. He came out on fire.
Just 35 seconds into the fight, Guillard dropped Miller. As Miller scrambled, he got drilled by six more hard punches. Miller clutched and grabbed to avoid more damage. He ate another big knee as the fighters separated. With 2:48 left, Miller absorbed another huge Guillard punch, right down the pipe, but he never wilted. When Guillard tried a fourth flying knee, Miller was ready.
The 28-year-old from New Jersey dumped Guillard on his back and 10 seconds later scored a momentary mount. Guillard did himself in when he flipped to his back in an attempt to free himself. Miller's jiu-jitsu is too nasty to attempt such an elementary escape. Miller jumped on Guillard's back as he tried to stand up and instantly sunk in his hooks. Guillard's suffered seven previous choke losses during his career. He wasn't getting out of this one.
A relieved Miller gave Guillard (29-10-2, 10-6 UFC) much credit following the fight.
"I don't get knocked down often and he knocked me down. He hits hard man. There are a lot of guys, I think in this weight class and the one above, that don't want to fight that kid," said Miller.
Henderson faces Edgar for the UFC lightweight title next month in Japan. Beyond that fight, it's anyone guess who'll get the next shot against the winner. Miller certainly put himself in the conversation.
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