Cole Miller (born April 26, 1984) is a retired American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

, who most recently competed in the

featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, ...

division in the

UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The larg ...

. His nickname "Magrinho" means "skinny" in Portuguese.

Mixed martial arts career

Before giving it up to train for MMA full-time, Miller was a standout baseball player at Mount de Sales Academy (in

Macon, Georgia Macon ( ), officially Macon–Bibb County, is a consolidated city-county in Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States. Situated near the Atlantic Seaboard fall line, fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is southeast of Atlanta and near the ...

), where he was raised. He was also a member of Macon-based Team Praxis, under instructor Cam McHargue, before moving on to American Top Team. Cole's younger brother, Micah, was a professional mixed martial artist with the WEC promotion. Before turning pro, Cole was the Virginia-based, King of the Ring 135 lb Champion. As a professional, Miller was the WKA Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight Champion as well as the Indiana Based, Legends of Fighting, Lightweight Champion. He trains at the American Top Team academy in

Coconut Creek, Florida Coconut Creek is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. Situated north of Miami, it had an estimated population of 57,348 in 2022. It is part of South Florida's Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area. The city seceded from Pompano Beach ...

, under Master Ricardo Liborio, whom he received Blue through Brown Belts in BJJ. Miller is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt under Marcos "Parrumpinha" Da Matta who frequently corners him in his UFC fights. Miller made his featherweight debut in

Shooto is a combat sport and mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission (ISC). Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 1989 as a ...

, being defeated by Shooto World Champion Takeshi Inoue by unanimous decision, while taking the fight on short notice.

''The Ultimate Fighter''

Miller was a contestant on '' The Ultimate Fighter 5'' show, featuring lightweights. He was a member of Jens Pulver's Team. Cole won his preliminary fight on the show against Allen Berube by Triangle Choke in the first round. Cole then fought against

Joe Lauzon Joe Lauzon (born May 22, 1984) is a semi-retired American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC's Lightweight division. Described as a well-rounded fighter, he has the most post-fight bonus awards in UFC Lightweight history ...

in the quarter-finals of the competition. After a competitive first round, the two fighters engaged quickly in the second, with Cole Miller looking for submissions off his back. Lauzon then landed an illegal elbow to the back of Miller's head. After taking the recovery time, Miller signaled that he was okay and the fight resumed. Lauzon immediately took Miller down and starting landing clean shots. Miller covered up and refused to improve his position, prompting the referee to stop the fight. After the fight, both

Dana White Dana Frederick White Jr. (born July 28, 1969) is an American businessman who is the CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a global mixed martial arts organization. In August 2019, White's net worth was estimated at . Out ...

and Lauzon were unhappy with the outcome of the fight, stating that the illegal blow was what caused Miller to stop attacking and cover up.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Miller made his official UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale, defeating Andy Wang via TKO at 1:10 of the 1st round. He then went on to defeat Leonard Garcia at UFC: Fight Night 11. His winning streak came to a halt when he lost to

Jeremy Stephens Jeremy Dean Stephens (born May 26, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist, Bare-knuckle boxing, bare-knuckle boxer and professional boxer, who currently competes in the Lightweight (MMA), Lightweight division of the Ultimate Figh ...

at UFC: Fight Night 12 by TKO in the 2nd round. On July 5, 2008, at UFC 86, Cole submitted Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and 6-time Brazilian State champion,

Jorge Gurgel Jorge Valente Gurgel (; ; born January 25, 1977) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor from 2002 to 2014, Gurgel is best known as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 2 and ...

, with a triangle choke in the 3rd round. Cole was a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the time. He later said that it was the biggest win of his career. He was awarded ''Submission of the Night''. Cole Miller went on to defeat Junie Browning on April 1, 2009, at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann, finishing the fight early in the first round. After Browning was caught by a right hook from Miller, he shot in for a takedown. Miller stuffed it, and locked in a guillotine choke on Browning. Immediately after Miller got the win, he leaned down and yelled in Browning's face, "Who's overrated now?!" Miller next fought Ultimate Fighter 8 winner Efrain Escudero at UFC 103, losing via first-round KO. Miller submitted Dan Lauzon on January 2, 2010, at

UFC 108 ''UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 2, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Background The card for UFC 108 was plagued with numerous injuries, ...

using a kimura with an inverted triangle hold in round one. He was once again awarded ''Submission of the Night'' honors. Miller was expected to face Andre Winner on March 31, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 21, but an injury to Miller forced him from the card. He was replaced by Rafaello Oliveira. Miller submitted ''The Ultimate Fighter 9'' winner, Ross Pearson, via second round rear-naked choke on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 22. Coming into his fight with Pearson, many suggested that Miller would look for a takedown due to Pearson's superior striking. However, Miller outstruck Pearson in the second round, rocked him with a left hook, and hopped onto his back to sink in the fight ending rear naked choke. Miller won his second straight ''Submission of the Night'' honors. Miller was expected to face

Matt Wiman Matt Wiman (born September 19, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed as a lightweight. He competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Wiman graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 2002. Mix ...

on January 1, 2011, at

UFC 125 ''UFC 125: Resolution'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Background The planned rematch between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson ...

, but the bout eventually took place on January 22, 2011, at

UFC Fight Night 23 ''UFC: Fight for the Troops 2'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 23'') was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 22, 2011 at Fort Hood, near Killeen, Texas. The event was the third that the UFC has ho ...

. Miller was dominated by Wiman, resulting in a unanimous decision defeat. Miller faced TJ O'Brien on August 14, 2011, at UFC on Versus 5. He won the fight via submission due to a one arm guillotine choke in the second round. For his next fight Miller dropped to featherweight and faced

Steven Siler Steven Siler (born February 15, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2005, he has competed for the UFC, Titan FC, Tachi ...

on March 3, 2012, at UFC on FX 2. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Miller fought

Nam Phan Nhat Nam Si Phan (born March 13, 1983), better known as Nam Phan, is an American retired mixed martial artist and professional boxer. A professional in mixed martial arts since 2001, Phan has competed for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, World Victor ...

at UFC on Fox 4 on August 4, 2012. He lost the bout via split decision after three rounds. Miller faced

Bart Palaszewski Bart K. Palaszewski (; born May 30, 1983) is a retired Polish-American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion compa ...

on April 13, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. He won the fight via submission in the first round. Miller faced

Manny Gamburyan Manny Gamburyan (; born May 8, 1981) is an Armenian retired mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC's lightweight, featherweight, and bantamweight divisions. A professional competitor since 1999, he was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultim ...

on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Miller faced Andy Ogle on October 26, 2013, at

UFC Fight Night 30 The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The large ...

. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Miller faced Sam Sicilia on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35. He won the fight via rear naked choke in the second round. The win also earned Miller his fourth ''Submission of the Night'' bonus award. On April 9, 2014, Miller announced his new four-fight contract with UFC via Twitter. Miller was expected to face

Conor McGregor Conor Anthony McGregor (born 14 July 1988) is an Irish professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. He is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) UFC Featherweight Championship, Featherweight and UFC Lightweight Championship, Li ...

on July 19, 2014, at

UFC Fight Night 46 The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The large ...

. However, Miller pulled out of the bout citing a thumb injury and was replaced by

Diego Brandão Diego Brandão (born 27 May 1987) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional since 2005, he formerly competed for the UFC, RIZIN, and Fight Nights Global. He was the winner of Spike TV ...

. Miller faced

Max Holloway Jerome Max Keli'i Holloway (born December 4, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Fea ...

on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Miller faced Jim Alers on December 19, 2015, at

UFC on Fox 17 ''UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2'' (also known as ''UFC on Fox 17'') was a mixed martial arts event held on December 19, 2015, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Background The event was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout ...

. The bout was ruled a No Contest after Miller was accidentally poked in the eye by Alers in the second round and was unable to continue. Miller was expected to face returning veteran B.J. Penn on June 4, 2016, at

UFC 199 ''UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2'' was a mixed martial arts event held on June 4, 2016, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Background While this was the first time the organization has held an event at the venue, it was the fifth time that ...

, replacing an injured Dennis Siver. However, Penn was removed from the card on May 23 after he was flagged for a potential anti-doping violation. Miller instead faced Alex Caceres. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Miller was expected to face

Mizuto Hirota is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Rizin Fighting Federation. A professional competitor since 2005, he appeared in the Japanese MMA event Dynamite!! 2009 event and has also competed for Ul ...

on October 15, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 97. However, the promotion announced on October 6 that they had cancelled the event entirely. In turn, the fight was rescheduled and eventually took place on December 17, 2016, at UFC on Fox 22 Miller lost the bout by unanimous decision. Miller has since been removed from the roster page on the UFC's website.

Championships and accomplishments

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

** Submission of the Night (Four times) ** Knockout of the Night (One time) **UFC.com Awards ***2008: Ranked #6 Submission of the Year ***2010: Ranked #2 Submission of the Year & Half-Year Awards: Best Submission of the 1HY

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Sacramento, California Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat, seat of Sacramento County, California, Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento Rive ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–10 (1) , Alex Caceres , Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Inglewood, California Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, United States, in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, the city had a population of 107,762. ...

, United States , , - , NC , align=center, 21–9 (1) , Jim Alers , NC (accidental eye poke) , UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:44 ,

Orlando, Florida Orlando ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–9 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Broomfield, Colorado Broomfield is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county located in the United States, U.S. Colorado, state of Colorado. It has a consolidated government which operates under Article XX, Sect ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 21–8 , Sam Sicilia , Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:54 ,

Duluth, Georgia Duluth ( ) is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. Located north of Interstate 85, it is approximately northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, Duluth had a population of 31,873, and the United Stat ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–8 , Andy Ogle , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Muñoz , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Manchester Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 19–8 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

, Massachusetts, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–7 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen Finale , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:23 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–7 ,

, Decision (split) , UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Los Angeles, California, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–6 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Sydney, Australia , , - , Win , align=center, 18–5 , TJ O'Brien , Submission (guillotine choke) , UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:38 ,

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 17–5 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Fort Hood, Texas Fort Cavazos is a United States Army Military installation, post located near Killeen, Texas. The post is currently named after Gen. Richard E. Cavazos, a native Texan and the US Army’s first Hispanic four-star general. The post is located ha ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–4 , Ross Pearson , Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:49 ,

Austin, Texas Austin ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and W ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–4 , Dan Lauzon , Submission (modified kimura) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:05 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–4 , Efrain Escudero , KO (punches) , UFC 103 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:36 ,

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

, Texas, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–3 , Junie Browning , Submission (guillotine choke) , UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:58 ,

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–3 ,

, Submission (triangle choke) , UFC 86 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:48 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 13–3 ,

, TKO (punches and elbows) , UFC Fight Night: Swick vs. Burkman , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:44 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–2 , Leonard Garcia , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Thomas vs. Florian , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–2 , Andy Wang , TKO (head kick and punches) , The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:10 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–2 , Josh Souder , Decision (split) , LOF 10: Unbreakable , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Indianapolis Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

, Indiana, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–2 , John Strawn , Submission (armbar) , Absolute Fighting Championships 19 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:21 ,

Boca Raton, Florida Boca Raton ( ; ) is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 97,422 in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and it ranked as the 23rd-largest city in Florida in 2022. Many people with a Boca Raton Address, ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–2 , Takeshi Inoue , Decision (unanimous) , Shooto 2006: 7/21 in Korakuen Hall , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Tokyo, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 9–1 , Saul Mitchell , Submission (triangle choke) , Diesel Fighting Championships 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:19 ,

, Texas, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–1 , Joe Germain , Submission (guillotine choke) , Full Throttle 7 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:36 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–1 , Vince Libardi , Submission (guillotine choke) , International Freestyle Fighting 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:16 ,

Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, Tarrant County, covering nearly into Denton County, Texas, Denton, Johnson County, Texas, Johnson, Parker County, Texas, Parker, and Wise County, Te ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Dwayne Shelton , Submission (rear-naked choke) , CSC: River City Rumble , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:48 ,

Mechanicsville, Virginia Mechanicsville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hanover County, Virginia, United States. The population was 39,482 during the 2020 census, up from 36,348 in the 2010 census. History The area was settled by ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 , Jarrett Becks , Submission (guillotine choke) , Full Throttle 6 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:01 ,

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

, Georgia, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 , David Love , TKO (punches) , North American Combat Challenge 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:26 ,

Key West, Florida Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida, at the southern end of the U.S. state of Florida. Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Sigsbee Park, Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Islan ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–1 , Josh Odom , Decision (majority) , Full Throttle 5 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Tim Honeycutt , KO (knee) , Full Throttle 4 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:23 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Chris Mickle , Submission (triangle choke) , Full Throttle 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:39 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Harris Norwood , Submission (triangle choke) , Full Throttle 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:14 ,

, Georgia, United States ,

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

, - , Loss , align=center, 1–1 ,

, TKO (punches) , rowspan=2, The Ultimate Fighter 5 , (air date) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:58 , rowspan=2,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Allen Berube , Submission (triangle choke) , (air date) , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:33 ,

References

http://fightstarmma.com/diego-brandao-replaces-cole-miller-vs-connor-mcgregor/

External links

Official WebsiteOfficial UFC Profile
*
Official American Top Team Website
*http://fightstarmma.com/diego-brandao-replaces-cole-miller-vs-connor-mcgregor/ {{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Cole American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists from Georgia (U.S. state) People from Richmond County, Georgia Lightweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Living people 1984 births Sportspeople from Coconut Creek, Florida Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Sportspeople from Macon, Georgia