UFC on ESPN 5 results: Jim Miller chokes out Clay Guida in front of home New Jersey audience

Jim Miller has broken the so-called New Jersey curse.

To earn his 20th UFC victory, Miller had to break a five-fight losing streak at home in New Jersey and he needed less than one minute to get the job done. After eating a hard punch during an early exchange, Miller came back with one of his own before snatching a guillotine choke that put Clay Guida to sleep at just 58 seconds in the first round.

“I knew he was setting up the big shots. He drilled me with that right but I’m just a guy from North Jersey that any adversity has shown it’s ugly face, I don’t back down,” Miller said after another impressive win. “Now here I am getting my 20th win in the Octagon.”

The fight played out in rapid fire fashion with Guida rushing across the Octagon as he does against almost all of his opponents. Miller was ready to meet him as the fighters started throwing shots at each other without hesitation.

Guida cracked Miller with a thudding right hand that seemingly had the 37-year old veteran wobbled for a second but he just came back with a punch of his own while returning fire.

That’s when Miller saw the opening for the guillotine choke and he quickly locked onto Guida’s neck and then fell down into his guard on the ground. It didn’t take long for Guida to go unconscious but referee Herb Dean checked him several times to make sure he was out before he stopped the fight.

Miller jumped up in celebration while the Newark crowd inside the Prudential Center came unglued for their home state hero.

The win puts Miller in exclusive company with only a handful of fighters in UFC history racking up 20 career victories. After battling a case of Lyme disease in recent years, Miller has been rejuvenated and this latest win only serves as a shining example that he’s still got plenty left in the tank.