Jim Miller fills Al Iaquinta’s spot at UFC 205, takes on Thiago Alves

Al Iaquinta’s unhappiness has become Jim Miller’s gain because the New Jersey-based lightweight has jumped at the chance to fight at UFC 205.

Iaquinta (12-3-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) declined to sign a bout agreement to battle Thiago Alves (21-10 MMA, 13-7 UFC), stating he felt his pay was no longer adequate. He cited the fact his deal was signed when fighters could pursue their own fight night sponsors, prior to the UFC’s exclusive deal with Reebok.

UFC 205 takes place Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, though the bout order hasn’t been finalized.

With Iaquinta unwilling to fight at his current rate, the UFC went on the hunt for a new opponent for Alves, who has been out of action since a May 2015 loss to Carlos Condit as he prepared his body for the cut from welterweight to 155 pounds.

Alves tweeted news of a replacement, and shortly thereafter, Twitter user @TalkMMA tweeted Miller (27-8 MMA, 16-7 UFC) had stepped in for the bout.

When reached by MMAjunkie, UFC officials stated, “There’s nothing to confirm at this time.” However, someone close to Alves, who asked not to be named since the person isn’t authorized to announce the bout, said the fight is a go.

Miller will bring a two-fight winning streak into the UFC’s first trip to New York. Since a Lyme disease diagnosis after a 1-4 run, Miller turned his career around with a TKO win over Takanori Gomi at UFC 200 and a thrilling split-decision victory in a rematch with Joe Lauzon at UFC on FOX 21.

With the addition, the latest UFC 205 card now includes:

• Champ Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson – for welterweight title
• Yoel Romero Chris Weidman
• Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy
• Thiago Alves vs. Al Iaquinta
• Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Gian Villante
• Donald Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum

• Liz Carmouche vs. Katlyn Chookagian
• Thiago Alves vs. Jim Miller

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