SUMMARY
- Dan Miller is a former UFC middleweight fighter and the brother of UFC lightweight fighter Jim Miller.
- Dan joined the UFC along with his brother Jim in 2008.
Dan Miller is a former American MMA fighter who is best known for competing in the UFC. Dan is the elder brother of UFC lightweight fighter Jim Miller. There is a two-year age gap between the brothers. Dan retired much before he turned 40 but Jim continued fighting at the age of 40. Let’s find out more about the MMA career of Dan Miller.
Dan was born on June 30, 1981, in the Sparta Township, New Jersey, United States. He was one of three brothers. Their father Mike Miller used to work in construction. Both Dan and Jim have worked in construction at a point in time like their father.
Dan started wrestling at an early age and participated in wrestling competitions at Sparta High School. Dan began training at Planet Jiu-Jitsu for MMA in the early 2000s. He began his pro-MMA career in 2005 at Reality Fighting 10. Dan defeated Tenyeh Dixon in his pro-MMA debut via submission.
Dan continued to fight at Reality Fighting and then moved on to Cage Fury Fighting Championships. In 2008, Dan became the International Fight League Middleweight Champion, representing the New York Pitbulls. By May 2018, Dan was 8-1 and Jim was 11-1 in pro-MMA. Both fighters earned a UFC call-up together.
Dan Miller made his UFC debut in September 2008 with a win
Dan’s first UFC fight was at UFC Fight Night 15 in September 2008 against Rob Kimmons. His debut was one to remember as he won the fight via submission in the first round. On the other hand, Jim also debuted just a month later against David Baron at UFC 89. Jim also won his bout via submission.
Dan defeated Matt Horwich via unanimous decision at UFC 90 on October 25, 2008, in his second UFC fight. Later, he continued his winning streak with a first-round submission victory over Jake Rosholt at UFC Fight Night 17 on February 7, 2009.
29 May 2010
UFC 114
Bisping bounces back
Defeats Dan Miller via UD (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) pic.twitter.com/aZgA9FPgs8
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) July 18, 2023
Dan faced terrible tragedies from then on. He became a father in March 2009 but his daughter Alexis could not live more than a few hours as she passed away due to complications. He faced Chael Sonnen at UFC 98 in May 2009 and suffered his first defeat in the UFC. His second child, Danny, also suffered from complications at birth. However, Dan, amidst all the difficulties continued to fight.
He fought Deman Maia and Michael Bisping next and lost both fights. It looked difficult for Dan to come back from so many setbacks. Dan’s persistence, however, earned him his rewards.
Dan came back from a three-fight losing streak to win consecutive bouts
Many had counted Dan out but he delivered. Following his latest loss against Bisping in May 2010, Dan fought again in August. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt defeated John Salter at UFC 118 via submission. In December, at UFC 124, Dan defeated Joe Doerksen via split decision.
Dan lost four of his next five fights. His only win came during his welterweight debut against Ricardo Funch. His last fight was against Trevor Smith at The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale in July 2015. Dan retired from fighting after that.
According to official stats from the UFC, Dan’s pro-MMA record was 14-8. The BJJ black belt showed his grappling prowess by achieving most of his victories in the UFC through submission.