411Mania Exclusive Interview: A Few Rounds with Cole Miller

Posted by Bren Oliver on 07.20.2007

Fresh off the Ultimate Fighter 5 and a successful debut in the UFC, the future looks bright for Cole Miller. Join 411Mania as the young fighter from Georgia sits down with us in this exclusive interview to talk about matters including his days leading up to TUF, training with American Top Team, and his favorite Ninja Turtle?!?


"The Ultimate Fighter" is a term most commonly associated with the hit series on Spike documenting lesser known fighters as they compete for a contract with the UFC. But what does it actually mean? What is an "ultimate fighter"?

If the answer is an individual with charisma, a serious amount of talent, and a bright future in MMA, American Top Team's Cole Miller certainly fits the bill. Many fans of the sport came to know Cole from UFC's recently wrapped TUF 5. Whether being "antiqued" by fellow fighters in good fun or leaving everything in the Octagon every time he stepped into it, Miller created a multitude of memorable moments throughout the season. And, from the looks of it, fans shouldn't be too surprised when he creates a few more in the ring...



"I knew I really wanted to do this when I won my first two MMA fights in one night. I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."


411mania.com: You're 1-0 in the UFC Octagon, a "reality television" star, and living in South Florida doing what you love, what you dreamt of; training to fight in the UFC. How is life at the moment for a kid from Macon, Georgia?

Cole Miller: You're right; I am all of those things. Life is good. I finally bought myself a few nice things after this fight. Before the fight the only nice things I owned were a bed, an MP3 player, and a computer desk. Now I got a bad ass TV, I'm training with a sick team, and I'm a Myspace icon. Yet I have no nightlife... advice?

411mania: Advice on nightlife? I'm an internet journalist for goodness' sake! Moving on...this may sound funny, being only 23 years old, but let's take a look at the early days of your Mixed Martial Arts career. You started training MMA after your first semester in college, but when did you first know it was something you were interested in? How did you fall into your first training session?

Miller: I saw a guy with two black eyes in the bagel bakery I worked in. He told me how he got them, so I showed up to train. I knew I really wanted to do this when I won my first two MMA fights in one night. I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

411mania: You have a younger brother, Micah, who fights in the WEC. How much of an influence were you on his decision to train MMA? What is it like having a sibling who competes in combat sports? Any amateur Miller vs. Miller records you can share with our readers?

Miller: Well, it's pretty cool having him around. I don't think I really persuaded him to train. I was doing it, so he followed, it was just natural. It's cool having him around, he is all the things I'm not by nature: a hard worker and really competitive so he helps me be more like that. As for amateur off the record bouts, would you like to know with or without deadly weapons?

411mania: After racking up a series of victories in smaller promotions you found yourself playing the role of underdog in facing Takeshi Inoue on a Shooto card in 2006, even doing as well as to take him to a decision. How would you compare that experience to your earlier fights? My understanding is that you took the fight on short notice. Do you feel the result would have been different with a chance to fully prepare?

Miller: I whooped that guys ass. He beat me up the third round cause I was on vacation from fighting and took the fight on eight days notice. If I had even three weeks to prepare for that guy I would be Shooto champ, but whatever.



"All the guys at American Top Team have been awesome..."


411mania: Some months later you found yourself in the midst of casting for the Ultimate Fighter. What was that process like? Now that you're somewhat removed from the show, what do you think about when you reflect on your overall experience?

Miller: The process was long and stressful, but I wouldn't take it back. I had fun and met some good people.

411mania: Unfortunately, you received an inadvertent elbow from Joe Lauzon in your quarterfinal bout against him which ultimately ended up affecting your performance. What are your thoughts on a re-match somewhere down the road? Any word on who your next opponent might be?

Miller: No comment.

411mania: You say on your American Top Team bio that fighting in the UFC had been a goal of yours for awhile. Take our readers back to June 23rd, 2007 - your official Octagon debut at the Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale. What was it like leading up to the fight? Did you experience any butterflies on your march down to the ring and how was it to get that first win in the UFC?

Miller: Leading up to the fight sucked, all I did was cut myself off from society and listen to emo music when I wasn't training. It was really depressing. I was overdrawn in my account, had student loans, and owed everyone money. I was gonna quit fighting and go back to school and only train if I didn't beat Andy Wang, but I didn't have any butterflies at all walking to the Octagon. I never have felt pressure...it's the best job and I have a lot of fun doing it. Why should I have butterflies for doing something I love to do the most?

411mania: Going back to American Top Team, what has it been like training with the crew down in Coconut Creek? How helpful is it to work with guys like Din Thomas, Marcus Aurelio, and Aaron Riley?

Miller: All the guys at American Top Team have been awesome. Everyone is very welcoming. My game has improved ten fold. Now I really see how bad I suck.(laughs)



"I would like to settle at 155 ultimately...this is my first run on big shows at 155 so we'll see how it goes."


411mania: Being that you're a guy who fights in the Lightweight division, I imagine you paid close attention to the recent championship defense by Sean Sherk against Hermes Franca. What are your thoughts on that fight and a potential Sherk vs. BJ Penn bout? Who takes it? *

Miller: Sherk looked pretty good, he's a pure athlete and has sick work ethic and conditioning, hats off to him. BJ would wreck Sherk in my opinion. Submission, 2nd round.

411mania: Some have speculated on how you would do moving down to 145 lbs. and competing in the WEC. While it's very, very early in your UFC career, is that something you'd consider or is lightweight going to be your long term home?

Miller: I would like to settle at 155 ultimately...this is my first run on big shows at 155 so we'll see how it goes.

411mania: Your profile on the ATT website has your email address and suggests you are or were quite the Ninja Turtles fan. So, who's the best turtle and why?

Miller: The best ninja turtle is Raphael. He looks out after his homies, and is always down to wreck the foot soldiers. He doesn't wait for shit to get done; he goes and gets it done himself. But Michelangelo is the coolest.

411mania: As I understand it you played baseball, and at a fairly high level, early on in your athletic career. What position did you play? What was the highlight of your baseball career?

Miller: I get hit in the head a lot. I don't remember a lot of things before college… bad long term memory.

411mania: Are there any guys you are training with at ATT that the mainstream public may not be familiar with? Who should we be on the lookout for?

Miller: Look out for Micah Miller! If you don't know Mike Brown you should, he is sick. The UFC crowd will see Marcus Aurelio very soon. Also Gesias Calvacante is very good, he is a K-1 fighter. Benji Radach is in the IFL. These are mostly the lightweights, and guys already established. For those who haven't fought in a big show at all but will, look out for Danillo Villefort, Chris Manuel, and Steve Bruno.

411mania: With the attention that MMA has had recently, what do you feel are the biggest misconceptions put upon fighters by the public or media?

Miller: That we are just crazy guys with no training who get in there and street fight. Screw those morons!

411mania: What does the nickname "Magrino" mean and how did you get it?

Miller: Magrinho - skinny in Portuguese. Shouldn't take much to figure out how I got it!



"Until recently I've been too poor to have hobbies."


Quick Hits:

411mania: Favorite movie so far this summer?

Miller: Transformers. Favorite of the year, 300.

411mania: Favorite hobby outside of MMA?

Miller: Until recently I've been too poor to have hobbies.

411mania: What music gets you pumped up before a fight?

Miller: I don't like to get pumped up before a fight...thinking about fighting gets me excited though I guess.

411mania: Biggest train wreck; Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, or Lindsay Lohan?

Miller: The question is, "How big of a train wreck would it be if I ran through all of them"? I like the answer.

411mania: No argument here...Current favorite video game?

Miller: Initial D. Favorite of all time, Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

411mania:Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Is there anyone you'd like to thank or mention?

Miller: American Top Team, Tapout, and Rush MMA.

411mania: Best of luck in your next fight and the future beyond...

Credit: Bren Oliver/Caleb Newby

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* - This interview was conducted prior to Sean Sherk's positive drug test result.