After 37 octagon appearances, Jim Miller is still down to fight absolutely anybody the UFC puts in front of him.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a lightweight matchup between Miller and promotional newcomer Erick Gonzalez is being targeted for UFC Vegas 40, which takes place Oct. 16 at the APEX. Verbal agreements are in place with contracts expected to be signed shortly. MMA Junkie was first to report the bout was in the works.
The 38-year-old Miller looks to get back on track after decision losses in back-to-back bouts and three of his last four. “A-10” competed three times in 2020, which included a first-round submission win over Roosevelt Roberts at UFC Vegas 3. In his lone appearance of 2021, Miller dropped a decision to Joe Solecki at UFC Vegas 23, but was scheduled to face Nikolas Motta in September before testing positive for COVID-19.
Gonzalez gets his opportunity to compete for the UFC following back-to-back wins on the regional scene in 2021 after missing all of 2020. Prior to that, “The Ghost Pepper” had a 12-fight run in Combate Americas, compiling an 8-4 record for the promotion.
UFC Vegas 40 will be headlined by a women’s featherweight matchup between Holly Holm and Norma Dumont.
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin contributed to this report.