“You know, sometimes it’s not the years, but rather the miles,” said Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” And today, it seems Jim Miller is echoing those legendary words.
Jim Miller, with his fighting record standing at 38-18 in MMA and 27-17 in the UFC, frequently faces the question about when—if ever—he plans on hanging up his gloves for good. Despite a solid record that shows more victories than defeats, Miller has started noticing the toll his fight mileage has taken over the years, particularly after enduring 45 UFC showdowns alone.
“It’s like riding out a storm in a tiny inflatable raft in the Pacific,” Miller shared with MMA Junkie recently. “Some days are fantastic; you’re on top of the world. Other days, every little ache flares up, and even getting out of bed becomes a challenge. The legendary Indiana Jones line rings true: ‘It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.’ That really hits home. I’ve put my body through intense training camps, especially UFC ones. We’re talking about countless hours on the mat with opponents trying their hardest to knock me out or grapple me into submission.”
While Miller’s vast career has left him a bit battered, you wouldn’t know it from his recent performances. With victories in six of his last eight fights—each one ending in a decisive finish—it’s clear he’s still a formidable contender. His only losses came by way of decision, not stoppage.
Miller, now 41, is gearing up for another bout on April 12 against 25-year-old Chase Hooper at UFC 314 in Miami. Hooper wasn’t even alive when “Raiders of the Lost Ark” made its debut, but Miller doesn’t see age as a guaranteed advantage.
“It’s rare to see such an age gap, but it’s not unusual in this sport,” Miller remarked. “Chase has around a dozen UFC fights under his belt. He came into the scene very young, and it’s something I anticipated by staying in the game for so long—eventually facing fighters from an entirely new generation. His youth? Sure, it’s a weapon. But my experience counts for a lot too. We’ll find out if he can wield his youth successfully, while I depend on the wealth of my experience.”
Both fighters boast strong Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, with Hooper’s record showcasing eight submission victories out of his 15 professional wins. While Miller doesn’t map out his fights with specific finishing moves in mind, the prospect of a submission win excites him.
“I’ve knocked out my fair share of opponents,” Miller said with a grin. “But there’s something immensely satisfying about wrapping someone up in a submission and watching them tap out. Striking can shut someone’s system down for a moment, but a tap means you’ve beaten not just their body, but their will. It’s the ultimate triumph, and I’d love to experience that again.”
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