Interview with UFC’s Cole Miller

This past Saturday at UFC 108, UFC lightweight Cole Miller (16-4) survived an early barrage and went on to submit Dan Lauzon. It was a big win for Miller to kick 2010 off with a big win. He’s won 3 of his last 4. Fight Trader had a chance to catch up with Cole to talk about his win.

Fight Trader: How rocked were you in the fight against Dan Lauzon?

Cole Miller: I was rocked enough to not remember what happened, but as you can see I responded immediately going for an omoplata as soon as I hit the ground.

Fight Trader: After you were rocked, you immediately came forward. Was that instinct you were fighting on?

CM: I think just for a moment, the punch must have rattled me. I was definitely conscious of what was going on.

FT: You had a very nice submission to win the fight in the first round. Can you tell us how you were able to pull it off?

CM: The choke is what got Dan Lauzon to tap. I know on some of the databases they have it down as an arm lock, but he tapped from the choke. I used a kimura to set it up and get the victory.

FT: There seemed to be some pretty big fight animosity between you and Dan Lauzon. It peaked at the weigh-ins with an intense stare down. Was there some bad blood between the two of you?

CM: It was just pre-fight intensity. I had heard some pre-fight quotes as to what he said he was going to do to me, and at the weigh-ins I told him to tell me to my face. When two guys are getting ready to go in there and rip each other’s heads off, it’s not always going to be hunky dory.

FT: How far have you come since you started training with American Top Team in 2006?

CM: It’s made the biggest difference in my game. There were certain parts of my game that were good like my closed guard game, but I have really come a long way. In four years, I have gone from being a white belt to getting my brown belt. I owe everything to those guys.

FT: You have some quality training partners at American Top Team.

CM: There is no really typical day because so many guys are fighting and schedules are different. I may be getting ready for a fight and other guys are closing out their camp. I work with Rafael Dias who fought in the WEC; my brother is one of my sparring partners. Mike Brown, JZ Calvancante, Mark Bocek. In the evenings, when it comes time to mix everything together, my brother is my training partner. He really helped me out this past training camp, because he is 6 feet and Dan Lauzon stood around 5ft 10, so Micah was big for me.

FT: Why did you and your brother decide to get involved into mixed martial arts?

CM: We started off as fans of the sport. Much how kids grow up wanting to be Michael Jordan, we grew up loving the sport. My dad was definitely hesistant when I got into it. He had kickboxed for a long time. When I started my training, he had no idea. My mom was not too supportive, until I got into the UFC and my mom realized I could make a living off of it, and then they were supportive.

FT: Is there anyone you would like to fight in the foreseeable future?

CM: I want to fight guys who are winning and people are talking about. After 2010, I want to be in that lengthy list of contenders for the lightweight title.

FT: During fights, you seem so relaxed and composed, how do you maintain your poise during a fight?

CM: It came pretty natural and it comes from my experience. I am definitely going to maintain my composure.

FT: You were on Season 5 of the Ultimate Fighter. What was that experience like for you?

CM: It was a positive experience. The training was good, but when we were in the house it was hard to look at the positive aspect. Once we got out of the house and into the training it started kicking in. It showed you how to be a real professional in the sport with eating, training, and sleeping

FT: As we mentioned before, your brother Micah also fights. What’s next for your brother?

CM: Micah fought in the WEC a couple years ago, and last year he fought in Dream against a top 10 bantamweight Maeda. I thought he won a 3 round fight, but didn’t get the decision. It’s kind of difficult to get one out there against a Japanese fighter. He had his summer run where he got 3 wins in 4 months. He’s just a free agent right now. We’re thinking about going back to the WEC where he’ll fight at 135 pounds. He’s a big boy at 135. We’re just trying to get him into a bigger spot.

FT: Right now at 155, is there anyone who can contend with the current UFC Lightweight Champ BJ Penn?

CM: He’s pretty much unstoppable. He is exactly what I try to follow. He’s one of those guys who has taken the technique and really been able to apply it in the octagon. His understanding of boxing and distance is phenomenal, his takedown defense and takedowns are both complete, and he is a world champion in BJJ.

FT: What are some goals for Cole Miller in 2010?

CM: I want to fight 3 to 4 times this year. Since 2007, I’ve only fought twice each year, because injuries and other things came about. I want to fight 3 to 4 times this year, and by 2011, I want to be a contender. I’d like to thank all my fans for hanging in there, my sponsors, and my family. Be sure to check me out at www.colemiller.com.

To take a look at Cole’s Fighter Profile on Fight Trader go here
Cole Miller’s Fighter Profile

By: Ray Flores