MMA Recap

Recapping With Cole Miller - I Just Want People To See My Work

by Brent Todd - 08-30-2009

Cole Miller burst onto the mixed martial arts scene in April 2007 when he was one of the sixteen fighters to appear on season five of "The Ultimate Fighter".   He made quick work of Allen Berube, submitting him in 2:33 in the first round, but would then lose in the quarterfinals to Joe Lauzon.  Now on a two fight win streak, submitting highly regarded Jorge Gurgel and Junie Browning, Miller is set to take on season eight's winner, Efrain Escudero.  MMA Recap caught up with Miller to discuss his training, his fight, and more.

Miller got into mixed martial arts after just one semester in college.  He knew that he wasn't ready for college and looked for something to do to keep him happy.  "I knew after my first semester I wasn't ready, but it took me four years to finally drop out.  I was trying to make everyone else happy. I started training after my first semester while in college as a way to do something I liked, seeing how much I hated school.  I loved mixed martial arts and I knew I wanted to do it for a long time.

I took a semester off to see what I could do, and I was able to win several fights, which lead to me getting on The Ultimate Fighter.  Once in the house, I knew there was no turning back."

Every mixed martial artist trains differently, and Cole is no exception.  While not training for a fight, he is fine-tuning his different martial arts skills.  When it comes time for a fight, the routine changes. "When preparing for a fight, I do a lot of strength and conditioning.  We also up the intensity of sparring".

But Efrain Escudero poses a new threat to Miller and he knows it. "I'm training harder for this fight than my previous fight against Junie Browning.  I am working my wrestling, because Efrain has good cardio wrestling and a strong mind.  I think my strengths are going to be my standup and jiu jitsu."

Escudero wasn't Miller's first choice in opponents.  He called out the winner of Caol Uno and Spencer Fisher.  But the UFC didn't want him to wait that long for his next fight.  "I want to fight fights that make sense according to how I last performed.  You are only as good as your last fight.  I thought fighting the winner of Uno/Fisher would be an exciting fight.  But the UFC wanted to line me up with something and lock me into a fight.  I am fine with that; I just want to fight opponents that are winning and are being talked about".

When asked about fighting on "Ultimate Fight Nights" on Spike TV versus the pay per view Miller was very level headed.  "I don't mind where I fight.  The pay-per-view has bigger bonuses, but Ultimate Fight Night reaches many more people on Spike TV.  All I care about is that I want people to see my work."

Originally the Miller-Escudero fight was scheduled to take place on the main card and then got bumped to the preliminary card after Cro Cop versus Dos Santos was announced.  Now the UFC is airing two preliminary card fights uninterrupted on Spike TV.  "I think this is great.  I was sad when the bout was moved to the undercard.  But I am ecstatic that people will see the fight now."

Of course no interview would be complete without asking about a fighter's favorite breakfast cereal.  Miller has three favorites in "Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, and Golden Grahams".

Cole Miller "I would like to thank Tapout, American Top Team, and IHP."
 

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