Dana White Announces Huge New Contract For Record-Setting Veteran

What Did Dana White Announce About Jim Miller?

It seems like Miller is destined to get to 50 fights in the UFC. He’s at 47 and he has a five-fight deal. He doesn't even need to finish the contract to reach the milestone.

White made the announcement during the UFC 328 post-fight press conference at Prudential Center, framing the extension as recognition of Miller's record-setting career and ongoing value to the company. Per Heavy.com, White said the extension should "take Miller past the 50-fight mark in the UFC" if he wants it. The five-fight deal effectively endorses Miller's long-stated goal of becoming the first UFC fighter to hit 50 walks under the banner.

What Records Does Jim Miller Already Hold?

Miller's resume is amazing. He spent several years as a solid contender. While he's no longer a contender, he is still a tough out. You have to wonder when considering his records for submissions and longevity if he's a UFC Hall-of-Famer.

The case is real. Miller now sits at 28 career UFC wins (most all-time), 48 UFC fights (most all-time), 20 UFC finishes (second only to Charles Oliveira), and 16 post-fight bonuses (tied for third with Nate Diaz, behind only Donald Cerrone). His Gordon submission was his 20th finish in the Octagon. The numbers don't get touched in a modern matchmaking environment, which is exactly the kind of body of work that earns Hall of Fame consideration regardless of championship status.

Why Does This Contract Matter In The Paramount+ Era?

To have the promotion offer a five-fight deal to a 42-year-old fighters is pretty amazing. It represents stability for Miller.

It also lands at a meaningful moment for the UFC. The Paramount+ broadcast era brings real questions about long-term fighter security in a streaming-first model, and locking in one of the company's foundational guys for a defined runway is exactly the kind of move that helps the UFC point to long-form fighter storytelling rather than prospect-cycling. Miller is also the rare veteran who shows up, fights anyone, and never causes problems behind the scenes — the kind of pro the company quietly values more than most casual fans realize.

What's Next For Jim Miller?

Miller called out Conor McGregor after the event. It makes sense. He'd get a huge payday. He's not a major contender, but he is relatively well-known. I'm not sure if the UFC would be thrilled about putting McGregor in with a grappling specialist when he returns.

McGregor has been out since breaking his tibia against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, and his suspension for missed drug tests just expired in March, making him eligible to fight again. Miller's quote — "I'll test that new ankle he's got there, that titanium" — is exactly the kind of line that markets itself if the UFC wants to give the matchup a shot. Whether or not McGregor is the next opponent, Miller has four to five fights ahead of him and a built-in storyline that the UFC can shape into a true milestone send-off, similar to how other veteran legacy retirements have been handled this year.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com