Miller had his first professional fight November 19, 2005, against Tenyeh Dixon at Reality Fighting 10 and was victorious by triangle choke in the first round. Miller followed the Dixon fight with a victory over Jay Coleman at Reality Fighting 11 by Armbar, setting up a #1 contender match against Mike Massenzio. As the main event at Reality Fighting 12, Massenzio and Miller fought to a close decision, with Miller's submission attempts earning the victory on one judge's card and Massenzio's strong takedowns earning the victory on two cards, and the fight.
Miller's next fight came at the Cage Fury Fighting Championships where he took on Dave Perez. Miller landed a strong upkick from his back early before controlling the rest of the fight. Perez failed to answer the bell for round 2, and Miller's victory earned him a title shot at CFFC II. Miller fought Lance Everson at CFFC II for the Cage Fury Fighting Championships Middleweight Title. The fight was highlighted by a powerful slam by Miller which led to a rear-naked choke which earned Miller the first round victory and the title.
Following CFFC II, Planet Jiu Jitsu closed down. Miller began training at American Martial Arts in Whippany, New Jersey, with his brother Jim in January, 2007.
Miller defended his title April 13, 2007, against Rhino Fight Team's Jose Rodriguez in his first fight with AMA Fight Club. Miller's brother Jim also fought on the card; the first time the brothers had fought together since Reality Fighting 12 and both were victorious. Using his strong wrestling and Jiu Jitsu skills, Miller took Rodriguez to the ground on multiple occasions, and dealt damage from on top. Though Miller attained the mount twice, and had an attempted Armbar in the third round, Rodriguez proved to be tough and the fight went to the judges where Miller was granted the unanimous 30–27 victory.
Miller made his IFL debut when he fought for Renzo Gracie's New York Pitbulls in the 2007 IFL Semifinals in East Rutherford, New Jersey, filling in for the injured Fabio Leopaldo. Miller fought the Tokyo Sabres' Dave Phillips in the first fight between the teams. After a quick slam by Miller, Phillips established guard and attempted an armbar. Miller slammed out, and in the scramble secured Phillips' neck in a standing guillotine choke. IFL Commentator Bas Rutten called the choke, which rendered Phillips unconscious, "the tightest guillotine [he'd] ever seen," and Miller earned the Submission-of-the-Night award for it.
On July 23, 2008, it was announced that the UFC had signed both Miller and his brother Jim each to four fight contracts.[8] Miller was successful in his UFC debut against Rob Kimmons at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer, winning via rear-naked choke submission.
Originally, Miller was scheduled to fight again at UFC 98 against Yushin Okami, but Okami sustained an injury and was replaced by Chael Sonnen.[9] He lost via unanimous decision as Sonnen took him down at will and ground and pounded for three rounds en route to a victory.
Miller next lost his third consecutive UFC fight to Michael Bisping via unanimous decision on May 29, 2010, at UFC 114.[13]
Miller faced John Salter on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118, replacing an injured Phil Baroni. Miller earned a much needed win via submission due to a Ninja Choke (a front Rear Naked Choke) at 1:53 of the second round. It was Miller's first victory since February 2009.
Miller faced Rousimar Palhares on August 27, 2011, at UFC 134, replacing an injured Alexandre Ferreira.[16] In the first round, Dan was dropped by strikes, Palhares followed up with ground and pound; using effective blocking and intelligent defense, Miller was able to protect himself from the strikes but Palhares stopped his ground and pound to begin celebrating and climbed on top of the cage ring. Ref Herb Dean pulled Palhares back into the ring and advised that he did not stop the fight. Before continuing, both fighters reset and met in the middle of the ring; Dan Miller immediately dropped Palhares with a hard punch. Palhares even went limp as he fell to the canvas, but quickly regained composure. Palhares ended up defeating Miller by unanimous decision.
Miller faced Ricardo Funch in a Welterweight bout on June 22, 2012, at UFC on FX 4.[17] Miller was successful his welterweight debut, submitting Funch with a guillotine choke late in round 3, earning Submission of the Night honors.
Miller was expected to face Sean Pierson on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152.[18] However, Miller pulled out of the bout after getting news about his son's kidney transplant operation[19] and was replaced by Lance Benoist.[20]
Miller returned to the UFC octagon on March 16, 2013, at UFC 158, where he faced Jordan Mein on the card.[21] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round, the first stoppage loss of his career.
Miller was expected to return to middleweight and face Daniel Sarafian on December 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 58.[22] However, Miller pulled out of the bout on December 11 and was replaced by promotional newcomer Antonio dos Santos Jr.[23]
After over two years away from the sport, Miller returned to face Trevor Smith on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.[24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[25][26]
Personal life
Miller is married.[27] The couple lost their first child, a daughter in March 2009.[28] Their second child has struggled with health problems.[29] Prior to their careers in mixed martial arts, Dan and his younger brother Jim worked in construction with their father.[4]
^McCullough, Andy. "Ex-Sparta High wrestlers Jim and Dan Miller make UFC a family affair", The Star-Ledger, March 26, 2010. Accessed June 28, 2011. "Day after day, Mike Miller heard his boys brawling. His two 20-something sons worked construction with him, on the job at 7 am, out in the sun during the summer. When work slowed, Jim and Dan tussled in basements and dumpsters, 'beating the crap out of each other,' Jim said. So Mike waited. He understood. The boys missed competition. Both had wrestled at Sparta High School."
