Miller expecting war with Saraiva

Posted on | August 3, 2010 | No Comments

Lemoore, Calif. – Micah Miller vows that he won’t be caught off guard if he’s in the third round of a back-and-fourth war in the cage with Diego Saraiva.

“I’ve seen him fight wars and I know what to expect. I won’t be caught in the third round with blood dripping down my face wondering what’s going on,” said Miller (14-4) of Athens, Ga. “I’m prepared for a war with Diego.”

Last time Saraiva (18-9-1) was in action at Tachi Palace Fights, he was in the midst of a bloody battle with Las Vegas, Nev. featherweight Eddie Yagin (13-4-1). The Atlanta, Ga. veteran went on to defeat Yagin via doctor’s stoppage in the December bout.

“I am very happy to come back to the Palace. They always treat me really well and I think it’s an awesome organization to fight for,” said Saraiva on his September 9 return against Miller at Tachi Palace Fights “High Stakes” Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

For Miller and Saraiva it’s a long time coming, as both came up fighting on the Georgia fight circuit and have been offered fights several times to fight each other, but the bouts never came to fruition.

“I know a lot about Diego, we came up in the Atlanta scene at the same time. He has great jiu-jitsu and is real creative and does a lot of stuff with his guard that people can’t do,” said Miller, who has won four of his last five bouts.

“Diego has good kicks and is really durable. I’ve watched him fight in some of the Georgia shows and show some serious heart. He won’t fold and he won’t break. He is a really tough fighter.”

Miller is coming off of a knockout victory over St. Cloud, Fla.’s Bruce Connors (8-2).

“I feel like this is the same as any other fight,” Saraiva said. “I respect Micah as a fighter, but I will do my best to get the win. There’s not much of a rivalry, but more so I don’t want to lose to anybody from my area. They’ve tried to set this fight up a couple of times, but it never happened. I’m glad the Palace has given me this opportunity.”

Miller feels similar, saying “There’s no animosity with Diego at all. I like Diego, but once he made the move to 45 I knew that at some point we would fight each other.

It’s a fight that’s been offered before, but the offers just weren’t good enough at the time for us to fight each other.”

But with the chance to move in as the No. 1 contender in the Tachi Palace Fights featherweight division on the line, both fighters are ready for the opportunity. The winner will take on Tachi Palace Fights Featherweight champ Isaac DeJesus (9-2) in December.

“I just see a real tough, drag ‘em out kind of fight. Diego is real hard to finish,” Miller added.

In the main event, Visalia, Calif. middleweight Doug Marshall (12-3) puts his 5-fight win streak on the line against Sacramento, Calif.’s Kyacey Uscola (18-15). Marshall is currently unbeaten in the middleweight division. Meanwhile, Uscola is coming of a stint on Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” show.

In the co-main event, Huntington Beach, Calif. lightweight “Razor” Rob McCullough (18-6) is back in action against Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Corey Hill (4-3) of Brooksville, Fla.

Tachi Palace Fights will crown its first-ever middleweight champ, as Coarsegold, Calif.’s Anthony Ruiz (25-13) clashes with Oakland, Calif.’s Leopoldo Serao (16-7).
In other bouts;

-Hanford, Calif. flyweight Luis Gonzalez (2-2) vs. Chino, Calif.’s Darrell Montague (7-1).

-Lemoore, Calif. middleweight Mike Martinez (5-2) vs. Thousand Oaks, Calif.’s Joseph Henle (3-0).

-Hanford, Calif. flyweight Paulina Ramirez (1-0) vs. Fresno, Calif.’s Stephanie Frausto (2-2).

-Lemoore, Calif. middleweight Andrew Martinez (6-2-1) vs. Sacramento, Calif.’s Mark Matthews (3-4).

-Fresno, Calif. featherweight Gabriel Solorio (5-2) vs. Fresno, Calif.’s Art Becerra (2-1).