Miller (photo via UFC.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Due to a thumb injury, Cole Miller has been robbed of his chance to hand Conor McGregor his first UFC loss this Saturday, but the featherweight still believes “Notorious” will have his hands full at UFC Fight Night 46.

After Miller was forced to withdraw from the July 19th headliner, the UFC tapped former TUF winner Diego Brandao to take on the outspoken Irish fighter. The bout comes at a time when Brandao will be looking to rebound from a KO loss to Dustin Poirier, which ended the Brazilian’s three fight win streak.

“I think Brandao is going to be a pretty tough opponent for him,” Miller said on a recent episode of Full Contact Fighter Radio, when asked to assess the new match-up. “I think he can probably expose McGregor on the ground for sure. On the feet, McGregor has some skills that are kind of tough to prepare for, especially on short notice.”

“I had plenty of notice, and I was feeling pretty comfortable with his style and how often he changes angles and stances,” Miller furthered about McGregor, who has defeated Max Holloway and Marcus Brimage since arriving in the UFC. “That can be kind of tough to prepare for only on a six to eight week training camp, so, he might have some problems in that department.”

Since the fight will headline the Dublin, Ireland bound card, it could also mark the first time Brandao goes four or five rounds.

“Also, I don’t know what kind of shape he was in,” the 30 year-old Miller furthered. “But preparing for a five round, main event bout can also be problematic for a lot of people when they don’t get a full training camp.”

Conor McGregor

Like Miller, Brando also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, however, the 5’7 tall featherweight is much shorter than “Magrinho”. As a result, McGregor won’t have to deal with the same type of issues–in terms of range and reach–that the 6’1 Miller would have presented. As a result, it will be interesting to see how Brandao approaches the 5’8 McGregor, and whether he looks to take the rising fighter to the mat.

“I’m interested for sure,” said Miller. “I think that with the way that he’s fought in the past, I think it would be good for him to come out and throw some big bombs, try to put McGregor up against the fence, and get him to the ground, where I think Diego can expose him for sure.”

While it remains to be seen what unfolds at UFC FN 47, Miller continues to recover and is hoping to return to action in October, “by the latest.” Considering the veteran was booked to face a big name in McGregor, and in a main event, one would think Miller will face another high profile fighter next

“Yeah, I think so. I think that 2013 was a solid year for me, with the only blemish being that Manny Gamburyan fight, which I think everyone knows that happened in that,” said Miller, who is coming off two consecutive victories. “I think I started 2014 off right with a good win over Sam Sicilia, and a win I, you know, was virtually untouched…”

“Everything clicked for me that night and I showed a lot of skills both standing and on the ground, which I think people have grown accustomed to seeing, “Miller furthered. “I think that you’re probably right, it’s probably going be a main card bout against somebody with a decent name, who’s pretty tough. I’m going to have to welcome that challenge.”

You read Miller’s thoughts on the thumb injury and having to pull out of UFC FN 46 by heading here.