Submitted photo – Tyson Miller celebrates his big win in Southern California on Friday night.

By Ray Hamill — Tyson Miller showed us just why he’s one of the most dangerous up-and-coming MMA fighters in Humboldt County over the weekend, with another impressive showing in Southern California.

The former Eureka High wrestler improved to 4-0 in the pro ranks with a TKO over heavily favored Emmanueli Adzoh just 47 seconds into a Legacy Fighting Alliance welterweight showdown at the Commerce Casino.

“I thought it was perfect,” Miller’s trainer John “Juan” Thompson said of Miller’s performance. “Everything went according to plan. He definitely executed and controlled the rfght.”

Miller, who fights out of the Institute of Combat gym in Arcata, took on the fight just a few weeks beforehand, but that was no problem for a fighter who has now won three of his four pro fights in the first round.

And Friday night’s win for the Humboldt County native was considered an upset down south.

“Everyone was saying he’s a future star and all those kind of things, but for me, I don’t really care. I’m from Humboldt County and nobody really knows where we are,” said Miller, who added “They’re not going to beat me mentally.”

That mentality augurs well for the 24-year-old who believes he has only recached maybe 10 percent of his capabilities.

And his trainer agrees.

“The sky’s the limit, really,” Thompson said. “He’s only going to get better.

“He’s grown (as a fighter) in every single aspect. He fully embraces the learning aspect. He asks questions and he’s always studying. He’s trying to be knowledgeable in all areas.”

Nicknamed “The Killer,” Miller said he will begin working closely with former UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in the coming weeks and is happy to take on whoever his managers line up as his career builds steam.

“Pretty much, right now he’s taking on all challengers,” Thompson said.

“Life’s not that hard for me,” Miller said with a chuckle. “I just do what John wants me to do in training, and I do what my management wants me to do when it comes to fights.”

Miller says working closely with Thompson and legendary local pro MMA fighter Cass Bell at the Institute of Combat has helped his career.

“Those are my guys,” he said. “Those guys have been a massive influence since I was 14, working out with me and teaching me how to be a man.”

Miller is the latest in an ever-growing line of talented MMA fighters to come out of the area, all of whom were standout H-DNL wrestlers.

It’s a group that also includes Orion Cosce, who became the first local fighter to win at a UFC event over the weekend, and Miller believes the sport has everything it needs to thrive here on the North Coast.

“I’m definitely getting everything I need here,” he said. “Every time I go into the gym, (Thompson) shows me something new.”

Miller admits that even in a 47-second win, he felt there were things he could have done better and says he’ll back at work again this week to make sure he’s ready to go when he gets the call for his next fight.

Miller also will be helping prepare a number of IOC fighters as they get set for a busy month.

“We have eight or nine active amateur fighters right now, and our jiu jitsu team is super active,” said Thompson, who will have fighters competing at an MMA event in Visalia next week, as well as a contingent competing at a jiu jitsu tournament in San Jose.