MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[Sakara=Excitement]

Miller vs. Tibau, Pearson vs. Miller set for UFC Fight Night 22 main card | MMAjunkie.com

The televised main card for today's officially announced UFC Fight Night 22 event is now set.

Spike TV officials today announced that the event, which takes place Sept. 15 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, features co-headliners of Demian Maia vs. Alan Belcher and Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman.

Now also set for the Spike TV-televised main card are lightweights Jim Miller vs. Gleison Tibau and Cole Miller vs. Ross Pearson.

The night's two-hour main-card broadcast precedes the debut episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 12."

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) previously reported the two fights, which are now signed and official for UFC Fight Night 22.

Jim Miller (17-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who today received his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Jamie Cruz, could take a big step toward lightweight title contention with a win. While many look at champ Frankie Edgar and contenders B.J. Penn, Kenny Florian and Gray Maynard as the elite of the UFC's 155-pound class, Miller is nipping at their heels. The former IFL lightweight champion has won 12 of his past 13 fights, and during his current streak, he's topped Danzig, Steve Lopez, Duane "Bang" Ludwig and Mark Bocek in the UFC. Miller's only career losses came via decision to Edgar (at a 2006 Reality Fighting show) and Maynard (at UFC 96).

Tibau (21-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) also is closing in on a potential title shot. After back-to-back losses to Tyson Griffin and Joe Stevenson in 2008, the American Top Team fighter has won four of five fights, which includes recent back-to-back victories over Josh Neer (decision) and Caol Uno (TKO). The lone loss came to Melvin Guillard in 2009 in a close split decision that MMAjunkie.com scored in Tibau's favor.

Pearson (11-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC), meanwhile, enters the fight after a decision victory over Andre Winner in The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale, a TKO win over Aaron Riley at UFC 105, and a decision victory over Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 21. The British fighter and "TUF 9" champion earned a $30,000 Fight of the Night award for the Siver win.

Cole Miller (16-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) enters his eighth career UFC fight off a "Submission of the Night" award-winning victory over Dan Lauzon at UFC 108. The American Top Team fighter and Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt had been slated to fight Winner at UFC Fight Night 21 in March, but Miller pulled out of the fight with an injury. Now healthy, he goes for his fourth win in five fights following recent wins over Lauzon, Junie Browning and Jorge Gurgel.

The latest UFC Fight Night 22 card now includes:

MAIN CARD
Alan Belcher vs. Demian Maia
Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman
Jim Miller vs. Gleison Tibau
Cole Miller vs. Ross Pearson

PRELIMINARY CARD
Efrain Escudero vs. John Gunderson*
Nick Catone vs. Tomsz Drwal*
Jared Hamman vs. Kyle Kingsbury*

* - Not officially announced

[kingrobert]

I would rather see Jim Miller vs Ross Person and Tibau vs Cole Miller. I think that would be better fights. Pearson has really impressed me in his fights. I guess the UFC wants to build him up and are thinking he will beat Cole Miller and that Dan Miller is to much of a step up in competion right now. Dont get me wrong cause Jim vs Tibau is going to be a good fight. It really depends on if Miller can stop the takedown.

[willpunisher]

Tibau needs to fight BIG NAMES! Hasn't he showed everyone that he is real fighter and needs big names? soti, stevenson, florian, dunham... wtf

[CHAEL fan]

I think Belcher is in trouble against Maia...if Cote came close to submitting him, imagine what Maia will do.

[TheKidInside]

Rooting for WAR from both fighters in the Belcher and Maia fight

but rooting for inverted triangle choke kimura-man Cooooollllllle MILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!

[CHAEL fan]

Originally Posted by TheKidInside

Rooting for WAR from both fighters in the Belcher and Maia fight

but rooting for inverted triangle choke kimura-man Cooooollllllle MILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!

I think Ross is going to take it to Cole...should be a great fight. I got Pearson by UD.

[dimerules28]

Cant wait to see how Miller deals with the size of Tibau. Especialy after the Bocek fight I think this should answer a few questions about how good Miller really is.

[TheKidInside]

Cole Miller has insane jits, he wins by another impressive sub (1st one being a triangle against Jorge Grugel...I mean ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!) in the 2nd RD

[NLRepublic]

Pearson vs Miller is siiiiiick

I liek both these guys

That being said, war Pearson, I love this kid. High energy, great technical Boxing and Thai, humble likeable personality

Lets see him get inside and crumble the taller, thinner Miller a la Efrain