UFC 128 – Jim Miller vs. Kamal Shalorus Prediction

JIM MILLER vs. KAMAL SHALORUS

Fight Overview:  WEC veteran Kamal Shalorus makes his UFC debut against tough contender Jim Miller.  Shalorus is undefeated as a professional, but Miller has lost only to the best in the world, and has never been finished, so this should be an extremely competitive bout.

Shalorus’ Strengths:  Shalorus has extremely good wrestling, devastating ground and pound, very underrated submissions, and decent boxing.

Shalorus’ Weaknesses:  He is substantially less experienced than Miller, probably not as good a striker, and has never had to fight someone with Miller’s submission acumen.

Miller’s Strengths:  Miller has decent boxing, underrated and effective wrestling, and some of the best submissions in the division.  He is also extremely tough and difficult to finish.

Miller’s Weaknesses:  His two losses are two the only two dominant wrestlers he has ever faced, and Shalorus is at worst the third best wrestler he has fought.

The Verdict:  Even though Miller has trouble dealing with dominant wrestlers, I think the style matchup favors him.  Shalorus has never had to deal with anyone like Miller on the ground, and he has a tendency to rely too much on his striking.  I don’t think he will win the boxing exchanges with Miller, though, and Miller should be able to score enough points and threaten enough on the ground to earn a close decision win.

Fight Prediction:   Jim Miller by Decision.