WEC 26 3/24/07 Las Vegas, NV Hard Rock Hotel & Casino |
Micah Miller vs. Jesse Moreng R3 3:29. Miller is a unique fighter because his game is putting Eddie Bravo’s teachings into practice. An exceptionally tall man for the 145 pound division, Miller not only uses his lanky body for knees in standup, but also is able to hold his opponent close by locking his ankles while still maintaining enough distance to work submissions. Employing one of the best guards in MMA, Miller controlled the fight from the bottom working for the armbar, triangle, omoplata, and so on. It’s not uncommon for the bottom fighter to simply be active, but Miller’s rubber guard kept Moreng so close he was unable to ground and pound or mount any other offensive. Moreng opened up a very minor cut on Miller’s eye with a short elbow from ½ guard, but otherwise Miller’s BJJ game was so impressive you almost forgot ground striking was even legal. Round 1 was all Miller as wrestler Moreng didn’t get that the clinch and takedown game wasn’t going to be to his benefit. Though Moreng never really adjusted, he began to come on in the second with a nice boxing game. The problem for Moreng wasn’t hitting Miller, which he did with sharp uppercuts and overhand rights, but rather that the momentum of his overhand right follow through would allow Miller to Thai clinch him and start bringing the knees. Moreng did his best work in round 3 as the first few minutes were standup. Though it’s possible some judges gave him the second, at this point he had to be thinking he needed to finish Miller, and thus going to the ground was a poor choice. He was perhaps sloppy on his single leg, but it’s more that Miller was simply that good, as I can’t remember anyone else countering an inside single with a triangle choke for the win. Excellent finish. Good match.
