UFC 111 Preview: Jim Miller Faces Serious Ground Threat in Mark Bocek

The first battle on the UFC 111 main card will feature a lightweight tussle between New Jersey-native Jim Miller (16-2, 5-1 UFC) and Canadian-born Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Mark Bocek (8-2, 4-2 UFC) in what could turn out to be an appealing match-up for those fans drawn to the technical aspects of mixed martial arts. Miller enters the contest riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Mac Danzig, Duane Ludwig, and Steve Lopez. Bocek has also had some success as he's produced his own three-fight winning streak with wins over Alvin Robinson, David Bielkheden, and Joe Brammer.

The appeal in this match-up revolves around the scrappy grappling skills that Mark Bocek has put on display in the Octagon in past bouts. The Nova Uniao black belt has produced six victories by way of submission in his eight wins as a professional mixed martial artist, and it's a sure bet that Bocek's skills are formidable enough to give Jim Miller a challenge on the ground.

Bocek will have to deal with a fighter who has built a reputation as being flexible, tough, and what many fans would call a "grinder" in the cage. Miller has been notable among fans and fellow fighters as having the ability to show up on a moment's notice and win, but he's also a fairly well-rounded fighter mixing brown belt level Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, wrestling, and slightly above average striking. While he's by no means an unstoppable force, Miller will hang in a fight to the very end and still show that he's a threat to finish a fight.

Bocek's gameplan is pretty straightforward. He'll want to put Miller on the ground and positionally dominate him until he can work his way to his back and sink a choke in, or find some way to isolate a limb and submit him. In either case, he'll rely on his grappling acumen to secure a victory.

Miller has stated that his wrestling will be key in this fight, and Bocek has made some comments talking about Miller's "grinder" status and conditioning level as being an obstacle. Bocek has brought in plenty of southpaw wrestlers to mask Miller's style, and he'll be the first legitimate black belt that Miller has faced in his career. That sort of hints at the possibility of an upset here, and I wouldn't put it past Bocek to cause some problems.

I'm somewhat interested in seeing how this battle unfolds, and I'm actually glad to see a grappler like Bocek get a shot on the main card. Miller's best chance will be to use his wrestling to maintain the feet and pepper Bocek with strikes, and more often than not -- he'll succeed in that objective. Miller is the favorite, and he should be able to win this over the course of three rounds.

The bettor in me, however, is definitely looking at a play on Mark Bocek. He'll be the first black belt that Miller has fought, and while Miller is very scrappy on the ground -- he isn't immune to being trapped in bad positions. Bocek's level of grappling is very good, and he's been rolling through divisional talent as of late by using those skills. Miller will be a tough test, but Bocek has an opportunity to surprise a lot of fans on Saturday night.