UFC on FOX 3 features a lightweight battle between Jim Miller (21-3) and Nate Diaz (15-7). Both men are elite lightweights and the winner of this fight is in line for a title shot at 155-pounds. Here is a breakdown the main event of UFC on FOX 3.
Striking: Both men favor the ground game. Miller has been awarded "Submission of the Night" three times in his UFC career, and Diaz has 10 career victories via submission, including three "Submission of the Night" awards. Where Diaz has the advantage is his reach, Diaz has a 76 inch reach, which is five inches longer than Miller's. Diaz punches in bunches, as he averages 4.46 strikes landed per minute (second highest in division history). As a lightweight, Diaz lands an average 46.4% of his strikes, and in his last fight against Donald Cerrone, Diaz landed a UFC record 238 significant strikes against the Cowboy. Striking is definetly not a strength of Miller's, as he only lands 34% of his strikes on average. However, Miller's striking defense is at 67%, meaning he avoids 67% of strikes against him. Miller has also never been knocked down in his UFC career. Advantage: Diaz
Ground Game: Both these fighters stand out on the ground. Diaz is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Cesar Gracie, and has seven career submission victories in the UFC. Miller, also a black belt in BJJ, and has 12 career victories via submission. Miller has an outstanding 46% takedown accuracy average, and Diaz counters with a 45% takedown defense average. Miller has submitted the likes of Melvin Guillard, Charles Oliveira and Duane Ludwig. Diaz also holds a submission victory over Guillard, along with Takanori Gomi and Marcus Davis among others. It should also be pointed out that Diaz fought as a welterweight from September 2010 to September 2011. Advantage: Even
Other key stats and notes courtesy of Fight Metric
- Only losses in career have come to Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.
- Lands an average of 2.23 significant strikes per minute.
- Absorbs an average of 1.89 strikes per minute.
- Miller averges 3.14 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Diaz has a striking defense of 60%, meaning he avoids 60% of strikes against him.
- Diaz only averages 1.33 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Nine of his last 12 wins have come via submission
- Absorbs an average of 2.62 significant strikes per minute.
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