On a night top heavy with high profile fights in Machida Vs. Evans and Serra Vs. Hughes on the UFC 98 card this Saturday in Las Vegas, fans may be overlooking a ‘fight of the night’ candidate bout between New Jersey’s Dan Miller and Oregon’s Chael Sonnen.  Each is an accomplished wrestler with improving boxing skills making this a close and critical fight for both careers.  Miller, who was first scheduled to scrap with Yushin Okami, wants to keep his undefeated UFC (3-0) start intact.  Sonnen, is coming off a loss to Demain Meia at UFC 95 and needs a win to regain momentum.  I spoke to Miller last week about changing opponents, plans for Sonnen, how his buddy Frankie Edgar will fare Vs. Sean Sherk and much more.

Moody: How disappointed were you in Yushin Okami dropping out and how different is Chael Sonnen from Okami?

Dan Miller: I was a little disappointed because I was really looking forward to fighting Okami. I think it would have been a great test, and if I won, great for my career.  Training has not changed that much, both are left handed, both have good wrestling and good hands.  It wasn’t that bad. Okami has phenomenal top game - second to none. Chael has been submitted a few times from the bottom.

Moody:  What stands out about Chael Sonnen as a fighter?

Dan Miller: Chael is a real tough fighter.  I am looking forward to fighting him.  His wrestling is real good and he has good hands. 

Moody: What worries you about Sonnen?

Dan Miller: Nothing really worries me about him, other than he is a tough fighter, tough all around fighter. I have never really been worried about any fight.

Moody: Do you set a game plan or take it as it comes?

Dan Miller: You know what, I don’t really have a game plan.  I try to react to what the other guy gives me.  You can never say ‘the other guy is going to do this.’  We can say “he is probably going to stand with me or take me down,”  but I have no idea.  I have no idea what their game plan is.  I have no idea what they think of me.  I have no idea if they are worried about my ground game.  So, I will go and react to what he gives me and go from there.

Moody: New York and New Jersey in the house with Serra, Gusmao, Edgar, Miller, and Nover on the card.

Dan Miller: I think it is a good card. Shows East-Coast has good fighters.

Moody: How do you handle traveling to Vegas, like it/hate it?

Dan Miller: I have never fought in Vegas. I heard it is amazing and the atmosphere is amazing.  But I just try to concentrate on the fight.  Going places never really bothered me.  I have tunnel vision, once it is fight time, I don’t hear anything.  I can’t wait. 

Moody: What do you weigh today, May 15^th?

Dan Miller: Today I am 200lbs. I will arrive on Tuesday at 200lbs and cut from there.  I have had success doing it this way and my last cut was easy.  I arrived in Tampa at 200lbs and had an easy cut.

Moody: You and your brother Jim along with Frankie Edgar and Ricardo Almeida train often with Martin Rooney from the Parisi Speed School in Fair Lawn, NJ.  Why?

Dan Miller: Rooney is a phenomenal trainer.  He helped me and my brother a lot with strength and diet. Great coach.  The year I have been there, I have gotten a lot stronger and cleaned up my diet.  One year ago, I was eating anything I could get my hands even leading up to a fight.  Never really cared about the nutrition.

Moody:  Edgar Vs. Sherk?

Dan Miller: I think Frankie has a really good chance in that fight. His boxing looks great. I can’t see how Frankie could lose the fight except for him losing it.  He has to go in and fight his fight.  I think it could go to a decision, but I think Frankie will edge him out.

Moody:  If MMA is legalized in New York, how cool would that be for the Tri-State guys?

Dan Miller: I think it will be great for the sport if it is voted yes.  There is a big market in the city for MMA. The UFC could put on a great show at MSG.  If they had a show in NY I would love to be on it, just to be a local guy on that card, it would be great.

Thanks Dan and good luck on May 23rd!