UFC President Dana White announced that if Nate Diaz (15-7) wins his bout against Jim Miller (21-3)this Saturday in the main event of UFC on FOX, he will be next in line for a UFC Lightweight title shot. White confirmed this earlier today while speaking on conference call with the media. He also said Miller will put himself in contention, but would not be getting an immediate title shot with a win:
“Should Diaz win, Diaz is definitely getting a title shot. Should Miller win, Miller’s probably going to be a fight or two away.”
Nate Diaz has shown dominance over his opponents since returning to the UFC lightweight division after a stint at welterweight. He finished Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 via arm bar, and dismantled Donald Cerrone in a striking war en route to a decision win at UFC 141.
While Miller has also had huge success in the lightweight division, a loss to current lightweight champion Ben Henderson from UFC Live 5 is probably the road block keeping him from a title shot if he is to win on Saturday.
Nate Diaz vs Jim Miller headlines this Saturday’s UFC on FOX card from the Izod Center in New Jersey. Be sure to make ProMMAnow (www.prommanow.com) your home as we’ll have live play by play coverage on Saturday night.