Conor McGregor vs. Cole Miler Official For UFC Fight Night 46 In Dublin
With July 19’s UFC Fight Night 46 card from the O2 Arena in Dublin, Ireland, rapidly filling up, it was a surprise to see that the fight most rumored to take place there, a bad-blood fueled match between returning Irish star Conor McGregor and Cole “Magrinho” Miller, not yet announced.
Fans will have to wait no longer, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship confirmed the bout today.
The bout was rumored to be close to official earlier this month pending a doctor’s approval for McGregor, who tore his ACL during his UFC Fight Night 26 decision victory over Max Holloway.
Coupled with his Octagon debut, a first round “Knockout of the Night” over Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV 9, “Notorious” has won his only two UFC bouts amidst much fanfare.
That’s something that the American Top Team (ATT)-trained Miller has taken offense to, saying that McGregor has been built up so the UFC can “buy” Ireland.
Not surprisingly, the outspoken McGregor offered his assessment of the bout on this evening’s edition of “UFC Tonight”:
“He’s slow, he’s scared. I’m fast, I’m fearless”. @TheNotoriousMMA on @colemillerATT
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) April 30, 2014
Some strong words to be sure, but “Magrinho” has been backing up his talk in the Octagon. He was last seen defeating Sam Sicilia with a second round “Submission of the Night”-winning effort at UFC Fight Night 35 in January. He also won his previous fight, a unanimous decision over Andy Ogle at UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester.
But while Miler has been picking up steam as of late, he’s still only won three out of his past six, and they haven’t exactly been against top-level opposition.
Still, he’ll face a returning fighter who will have been out of the cage for the better part of 11 months, making this bout an unpredictable one.
McGregor promptly opened at around a 2-to-1 favorite. The former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship lightweight and featherweight champion should undoubtedly hold the advantage on the feet, while submission specialist Miller will have the edge on the mat. Who’s your early pick to emerge victorious in this grudge match?
Photo: Winslow Townson for USA TODAY Sports
