FiveKnuckles.com: Well there are certainly some things you can take from going the distance with a top ten fighter so not all is lost in that situation. I would assume you're a bit more confident in knowing that you can compete with the big boys in the middleweight division?

Dan Miller: I certainly believe I can compete with the best this division has to offer. I'm confident in my skills and I'm confident knowing how hard I've been training. I have great training partners, I have great coaches and I have everything in place for me to give this the best shot that I possibly can. I can't wait to get back in there and prove myself.

FiveKnuckles.com: What can you tell me about Demian Maia from your perspective?

Dan Miller: I know people think Demian Maia is better than me, but I don't mind. Being the underdog gives me something more to fight for. Demian's got phenomenal jiu-jitsu. He's got good wrestling, he's an excellent grappler, and his stand-up game is decent. He certainly deserves to be at the top of the heap and I can't wait to get in there with him. Demian is a great test for me and I think it's going to be a great fight.

FiveKnuckles.com: Now, there were a few fighters, namely Alan Belcher, who were begging to get in there with Demian because they wanted to expose his "lack" of a stand-up game. Nate Marquardt got there first at UFC 102, beating Maia in what could have been the knockout of the year.

Dan Miller: He could have probably fared better by getting the fight on the ground, but Nate caught him before he even had a chance. Demian has to be one the best jiu-jitsu fighters in all of MMA, but I'm not afraid to go to the ground with him. If that's were the fight goes, it certainly isn't over. It wouldn't be the first time I've been in that position and it won't be the last. I'm confident in my own jiu-jitsu game and I have great coaches helping me game plan.

The plan against Demian is obvious. A fighter always wants to take an opponent out of his comfort zone. Nate did an excellent job at that... he had Demian out of his element for a short time and that's all he needed to take advantage.

FiveKnuckles.com: Who's been helping you in preparation for this fight?

Dan Miller: My jiu-jitsu coach is Jaime Cruz. My stand-up coach is Mike Constantino. There are a few other coaches helping me out as well. My training partners include my brother Jim, Rafaello Oliveira, Charlie Brenneman, Brian McLaughlin... it's hard to name everyone. Frankie Edgar was in here training before he won his last fight. He's now in line for his title shot against B.J. Penn; congrats to him.

FiveKnuckles.com: What's your take on the wide-open middleweight division where many fighters seem to be lobbying...

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 109 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!