Just two days ahead of his comeback in UFC Vegas 74, Jim Miller was contacted with disappointing news about his impending bout with Jared Gordon. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby notified him that Gordon was withdrawn from the fight, offering Miller a choice to either wait for a few weeks to challenge Ludovit Klein, his initial UFC Vegas 74 adversary before an injury, or confront a very last-minute replacement.
Miller picked the latter, a decision that worked out in his favor when he thrashed UFC rookie Jesse Butler in a mere 23 seconds, which also landed him a $50,000 Performance of the Night award.
Regardless of his eventual triumph, Miller initially harbored reservations about agreeing to fight Gordon, who he’d seen be knocked out by an accidental headbutt in late April. His worries were momentarily allayed when he heard from Gordon himself, who assured the UFC of his health and readiness to compete.
However, during a media briefing on the fight week, Gordon confessed to suffering a “minor concussion” in his match against Bobby Green, although he insisted he had swiftly overcome the symptoms and taken all necessary recovery steps.
Dana White, the UFC President, condemned Gordon for taking on the fight against Miller, knowing he had a concussion. According to White, Gordon owed the company and his opponent the respect of sharing this information sooner.
Miller empathizes with the possibility that a concussion may not have been immediately diagnosed after Gordon’s match with Green. Still, he believes that any delayed symptoms should have been addressed by Gordon’s team and management, who he feels were reckless in letting him consider another fight under such conditions.
Miller highlighted the role of adrenaline in masking injuries or concussions immediately post-fight, suggesting that issues can surface later. At that point, he believes, the onus is on the fighter to communicate this to their team. While he understands why Gordon would accept the fight, he does express disappointment with his team.
Despite his own readiness to face any opponent, Miller stresses the importance of having a supportive team that prevents him from taking unnecessary risks, particularly concerning his long-term health. He puts most of the blame not on Gordon, but on the people around him.
If one of his own teammates were in a similar situation, Miller insists that he would never allow them to enter a fight, emphasizing that it’s dangerous to combine a significant weight cut while still recovering from a concussion.
Although he doesn’t bear any grudge against Gordon, Miller admits that the latter should never have been allowed to step into the fight and wishes that someone from Gordon’s team had advised him against it.
Miller firmly believes that fighter’s teams should protect their members, especially those willing to risk everything. He emphasizes the need for supportive voices within the team to ensure their fighters’ safety.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jim Miller Criticizes Jared Gordon’s Team
Why was Jim Miller’s initial opponent in UFC Vegas 74 changed?
Jared Gordon, Miller’s original opponent, was pulled from the fight due to health concerns. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby offered Miller an option to wait a few weeks to compete against Ludovit Klein, his original UFC Vegas 74 opponent before an injury, or take on a very late-notice replacement. Miller chose the latter and won against UFC newcomer Jesse Butler.
What health concern did Jared Gordon have?
Jared Gordon admitted to having had a “minor concussion” from a fight with Bobby Green. The symptoms were reported to have subsided quickly and he took necessary recovery steps. However, UFC President Dana White and Jim Miller criticized Gordon and his team for not disclosing this earlier.
What was Dana White’s response to Jared Gordon’s decision to fight?
Dana White, the UFC President, criticized Gordon for accepting to fight Miller despite being aware of his concussion. White suggested that Gordon should have informed both the company and his opponent about his condition much earlier.
Who did Jim Miller blame for Jared Gordon’s participation in the fight?
Jim Miller mostly blamed Jared Gordon’s team for allowing him to consider another fight under the circumstances of recovering from a concussion. He was of the opinion that the team was reckless and should have prevented Gordon from taking unnecessary risks.
What is Jim Miller’s view on fighter health and safety?
Miller emphasized the importance of having a supportive team that prevents fighters from taking unnecessary risks, especially concerning long-term health. He believes teams should protect their members, particularly those willing to risk everything, and should prioritize the fighters’ health and safety.
