What a difference a year makes.

Jim Miller came into his 2016 campaign with a lot of uncertainty ahead of him. The New Jersey-based veteran had long held status as one of the elite of the talent-stacked lightweight division, but losses in three out of four showings put Miller's slot in the divisional upper tier in jeopardy.

Miller knew he had to turn things around in a big way, and following his loss to Diego Sanchez at UFC 196 back in March, his back was firmly against the wall. Yet, while his performances weren't up to the standard he'd set for a decade under the UFC banner, Miller's battle against Lyme disease took a turn for the better in the weeks following his fight with Sanchez.

It wasn't long before the energy that was once so hard to find returned to normal levels. Miller was suddenly able to push through longer sessions in the gym, and this shift gave him confidence a return to form inside the Octagon was possible. The rest is 2016 history.

"The year ended well," Miller said. "I had a good six months in the second half of the year, and I was happy I was able to squeeze in a couple fights near the end because it kept me in the gym. I took maybe two weeks off over the course of eight months and it was good to keep the gears moving and not having to worry about things rusting up.

"My performance in March was pretty crappy and probably one of the worst of my career, and it felt great to not only bounce back but to get back to feeling like myself again."


Nov 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Jim Miller (red gloves) fights Thiago Alves (blue gloves) during UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The scrappy jiu-jitsu specialist bounced back from UFC 196 to notch three straight victories over tough competition to close out the year. Miller's most recent win came against Thiago Alves at UFC 205 back in November in a fight where the Sparta native outworked and outclassed the former welterweight title challenger.

For Miller, it was a solid victory over an opponent who has stood toe-to-toe with the best in the world one weight class higher, and he left New York with a sense of pride in beating "The Pitbull."

"I went out and had a great performance against a guy who has fought the best fighters on the planet at 170 (pounds) and has done very well against them," Miller said. "I would have liked to get the finish with either a submission or knocking him out, but I wasn't able to get the job done in that regard. It wasn't for a lack of trying though.

"It would be nice to outclass the best fighters in the world but that doesn't always happen. Going out there and finishing elite and experienced competition is one of the hardest things to do. The windows to do so are small at this level and capitalizing on every opportunity you can in there is what really matters."

Miller will end his year with an impressive winning streak and his sights set on a tough scrap with Dustin Poirier at UFC 208 to kick off his 2017 campaign in February. And while Miller is as modest as they come in the fight game, turning things around the way he did is something even Jim "Careless Whisper" Miller can take time to appreciate.

"I go out there to give everything I have every time," Miller said. "I'm sure there have been one or two during my 20-plus fights inside the Octagon, but I sure as hell have never gone out there just to squeak by and win. I've never stepped into that cage looking to beat someone on points just to gain something. Every time I fight, I'm looking to win as devastatingly and dominantly as possible.

"When people say they enjoy the way I fight, I appreciate that. I never go out there with the sole intention of putting on an exciting fight. I want to be satisfied with my performance and accomplishing that means I gave my all because that's what I demand of myself. It just so happens doing that produces exciting fights and knowing the fans like to watch me compete is something I can appreciate.

"It's nice to be appreciated once in awhile," he added with a laugh.

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When the news of the bout between Miller and Poirier broke last week, the fighter with the most wins in the history of the UFC lightweight division decided to share an exchange with legendary UFC matchmaker Joe Silva across social media platforms.

Miller has been a go-to guy for Silva as they built the 155-pound collective into arguably the most competitive division in the UFC. Miller's willingness to step up and throw down with anyone at anytime has kept him in high regard in Silva's book, and the soon-to-be-retired matchmaker was quick to show his appreciation.

"It's the end of an era with Joe Silva leaving," Miller said. "He's been around since UFC 2 and has made a lot of great fights. It's been an absolute pleasure working with him. The past two years, especially, because I was battling health issues and trying to fight my way through it and remain active. Joe has always been professional with me.

"I'm just about fighting at this point. I'm not one of those guys who tries to strategically pick their next opponent. This will be number 26 for me in the UFC and I've fought a wide variety of styles. I've fought a lot of the guys who are now ranked above me at the top of the division, and it just doesn't matter to me. I love to fight, and that's what pays the bills, so the more the better."


Aug 27, 2016; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Joe Lauzon (red gloves) reacts to fight against Jim Miller (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Miller has always been about stepping in for tough scraps, and Poirier himself is the definition of that mindset.

The Louisiana native brings the ruckus each and every time out, which is precisely the foundation Miller's career was built upon. With the lightweight ranks as crowded as it's ever been, Miller had a feeling Poirier would be the next assignment. And sure enough, he was correct.

"I actually called this fight two days before I got the call," Miller said. "I was talking to a training partner and just going over whom they could give me, and Poirier is who came to mind. It's a good fight, and that's really what it comes down to. Dustin is another one of these guys I'm excited to fight because he's a guy I like watching, and those are the fights I love.

"I think it's going to be a great fight because we both get in there and get after it. Those are the best type of fights, and it has the makings to be something special."

With a solid year now in the books, Miller will enter 2017 with the intention of reclaiming his place in the lightweight divisional title race. He was within striking distance of a championship opportunity a few years back, but the ever-twisting and turning road of MMA put him on a strange detour that nearly cost him his career.

Now that his health is back to full power and his fight game is as on point as it's ever been, Miller is looking to make the coming year something special.

"It feels good to be myself," Miller said. "I think by what people see me post on social media that I don't give a rat's ass what people think of me. I like performing and it's always been a test. That's why I got into this sport. I want the best out of myself and I'm not fully satisfied with my last couple fights, but were a lot better than my couple of fights before them. I'm back into the swing of things and it feels great."