UFC 124 Fight Card: What Jim Miller Must Do To Beat Charles Oliveira

27-year old Jim Miller has lost to two men during his impressive career: Decision losses to the top two Lightweights in the UFC, Frank Edgar and Gray Maynard. 

With a blue-collar, workman like style to fighting, Miller has picked up seven fights in the UFC’s lightweight division and is clearly one of its most formidable forces. 

But in Montreal this weekend, Miller now faces 21-year old Brazilian standout Charles Oliveira. The young Brazilian has been dubbed a prodigy after his first two UFC appearances, and the hype behind him suggests there is little any foe could do to quell his dynamic offensive. 

Is Oliveira an exciting prospect? You bet. 

But that does not mean Miller does not have the arsenal to come away with victory this weekend. 

First off, in order to avoid his third career defeat, Miller will have to come in at his best. Although he rarely leaves openings for the opposition, his opponent has the talent to take full advantage of any mistakes.  

Anytime two top flight well-rounded fighters meet in the cage, a relatively close decision is always a strong possibility.

What Miller needs to do to convincingly topple Oliveira is utilize pressure in a way that Oliveira has not seen before.

Miller is a grizzled 27-years old and has the experience to take the young Oliveira out of his game.

Often times, we see young touted prospects buy into their own hype and get flustered when things don’t go their way. 

If Miller fights smart, and sticks to an effective game plan, Oliveira’s mental game could break down late in the fight. If that happens, expect Miller to take advantage and elevate his name to the very top of the division.