Jim and Dan Miller Making the Most of Their Opportunities in the UFC

Jim Miller will face a stiff test against Gray Maynard at UFC 96.  Unlike his last match against Matt Wiman, he'll be coming out of a full training camp.  The dedication and professionalism exhibited by both Jim and his brother, Dan, is highlighted by MMA Weekly:

"One story, Jim Miller went three rounds with Bart Palaszewski in the IFL on a Friday night and Sunday morning he was in the gym helping his teammate prepare for a fight," Constantino commented. "Those are the types of guys that they are. Most guys would have taken off for two weeks. The Millers are back in the gym, they're always training."

Working with lead jiu-jitsu instructor and Renzo Gracie black belt Jamie Cruz, along with Constantino, who leads the striking instruction, and new strength and conditioning coach Martin Rooney, the AMA Fight team has tried to implement all the elements to turn the Miller brothers into champions.

One of the most recent occasions that the UFC came calling for one of the Miller brothers to step in and fight was when teammate Frankie Edgar was forced out of his scheduled bout against Matt Wiman at the UFC Fight for the Troops show in December. Just coming back from his honeymoon and after celebrating Thanksgiving with his family, Jim Miller was called on Tuesday, just one week away from fight time, and asked to step in.

"I said, 'Jim, you've got a fight on Wednesday night, seven days from now, what's your weight?' It was like 180 or 170-something, and I said, 'Can you do it?' He said we will do it," Constantino recalled.

That attitude has become a welcome addition for Dan in the UFC's middleweight division and Jim in the lightweight class, and it's something Constantino told UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to expect as soon as the family of fighters signed on with the promotion.

It's quite refreshing to see two guys that are making the most of their windows as professional athletes.  While predicting the career length of a mixed martial artist is far from an exact science - complicated by a plethora of variables, it can easily be characterized as "short" when compared to the careers of most.  Sometimes it's necessary to forego a few of the trappings of youth and fame in order to have a chance at living up to one's full potential.  The Miller brothers seem to be giving an honest effort through hard work.  That, in and of itself, is worth noting.

[UPDATE]:  Dan Miller has been confirmed as the next opponent for Yushin Okami at UFC 98.  Scotty23 did an awesome FanPost on the upcoming bout which you can check out here.