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[Sakara=Excitement]

Mark Bocek vs. Jim Miller targeted for March's UFC 111 in New Jersey | MMAjunkie.com

A lightweight matchup between proven grapplers Mark Bocek (8-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and Jim Miller (16-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is in the works for UFC 111.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) learned from sources close to the promotion that both fighters have agreed to the contest, and bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.

Featuring both a welterweight and interim heavyweight title fight, UFC 111 takes place March 21 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Bocek enters the contest on a three-fight win streak after submitting Joe Brammer at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale in December. After dropping an April 2008 contest to Mac Danzig, the American Top Team product has earned submission wins over Brammer, David Bielkheden and Alvin Robinson – all by rear-naked choke.

The win over Brammer earned Bocek the evening's "Submission of the Night."

Miller is also no stranger to "Fight Night" bonuses, and the 26-year-old New Jersey native has earned a "Fight of the Night" and "Submission of the Night" bonus in his current UFC run.

Miller carries a three-fight win streak into the bout, and he has won 11 of his past 12 overall contests. Miller's lone career losses came via decision to current UFC lightweight top contenders Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar.

With the addition to the already impressive card, UFC 111 now includes:

Champ Georges St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy (for welterweight title)
Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir (possibly for interim heavyweight title)
Thiago Alves vs. Jon Fitch*
Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown*
Mark Bocek vs. Jim Miller*
* - Not officially announced

[ckauffman28]

step down for miller

[Stacked]

Originally Posted by ckauffman28

step down for miller

Yes but if he takes Bocek lightly he might get sub'd. I think he just wanted to fight in NJ. Idk if it's a step down from Bang but yes a step down from Griffin and Sherk (guys he was supposed to fight at 108) Miller by tko

[LethalStriker]

Bocek is a very tough opponent, more so then Bang was. By no means is this an easy win.

[ckauffman28]

true i just remember bocek getting outclassed by mac danzig, of course from what isaw he has improved but hasnt really fought a name until now.

[NAL987]

This is one of those fights where for one guy its a plus if he wins OR loses (Bocek: If he loses then it's fine because the ufc seem to be building off of Jim and the common ufc fan expects him to lose, but if he wins it'll put him up in the mid or top tier of the division for fights)
And for Jim, he needs to put on a solid performance to be able to get better competition and in line for the title shot later down the road, but then if he loses it'll be a big blow for him IMO.

All-in-all, I see Jim pulling out a lop-sided UD, but Mark putting up a good fight, IMO Mark is very underrated.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Bocek is so VERY dangerous on the ground, but I think Miller's a little past this bout. Hearing that Pelligrino's got a fight around the same time would just make much more sense for Miller at this time. But what do I know.....