Interview: UFC lightweight Joe Solecki previews fight with Jim Miller

UFC lightweight Joe Solecki is a Jim Miller fan.

“I’m definitely a fan of the way he carries himself,” Solecki said in a recent interview with Fight Night Picks’ John Hyon Ko.

But on April 10, Joe Solecki will step into the Octagon with the UFC legend, who will be fighting his UFC record 48th fight.

“I like fighting someone I respect,” Solecki said in a 20-minute video conference interview.

Solecki is on a five-fight win streak, including a first-round submission win over Austin Hubbard seven months ago. He’s not planning an early finish this time around.

“It’s going to be 15 hard minutes,” Solecki said. “The more I’m in there, the more I can show my skillset.”

Solecki is also a recent father. His first child, a daughter, was born six months ago. While Solecki is not the party type and a self-described homebody, the new family member gives Solecki new motivation, he said.

“How am I going to look at her and not be excited to go train and work as hard as I can?” Solecki said. “Now it’s about providing for my family; it’s just a different mindset. It’s very freeing in a sense.”

The lightweight bout between Joe Solecki and Jim Miller is scheduled for UFC on ABC 2 on April 10 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.