Miller (photo via UFC.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Although Cole Miller repeatedly called for a fight with Conor McGregor earlier this year, and referred to the latter as  a “show pony”, “Magrinho” says he will be cheering for the brash featherweight at UFC Fight Night 59.

It wasn’t that long ago, really, when the verbal battle between Miller and McGregor, eventually led the UFC to book a bout between the two for July 19th. Miller, ultimately, had to withdraw from the fight due to a thumb injury, and since then, McGregor’s gone on to score wins over Diego Brandao and Dustin Poirier.

Now, McGregor has been booked to fight Dennis Siver on January 18th, and if “Notorious” defeats the veteran, he likely will be tapped for a fight with champion Jose Aldo. The bout’s announcement didn’t exactly sit well with McGregor’s critics, who want to see the Irish star take on a top tier wrestler, before he gets a crack at the belt.

All Miller wants to see on January 18th, however, is McGregor hand Siver a defeat.

“I hope Conor beats the s–t out of Dennis Siver. I don’t want anymore juice heads in the UFC,” Miller recently relayed on Full Contact Fighter Radio, while referring to the fact that Siver tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, following his bout with Manny Gamburyan last December. “I hope he kicks his ass.”

Miller

But what does Miller think of the argument that McGregor is receiving a less hazardous road to a title shot, by not facing one of the division’s noted wrestlers? Like say Ricardo Lamas, Chad Mendes or Frankie Edgar?

“I mean, when you put a striker against a better striker, which is, Siver would be the striker and Conor would be the better striker, I think that’s a favorable fight for Conor,” said Miller, who is booked to fight Max Holloway on February 14th at UFC FN 60.

The announcement of Siver-McGregor surprised many, since following the latter’s stoppage win over Dustin Poirier in September, Dana White made the case as to why the Irish fighter could receive a title shot. At the time, White pointed to the fact that McGregor hadn’t fought Aldo yet, as the champ had already defeated other top contenders like Mendes and Edgar.

McGregor’s win over Poirier hit pretty close to home for Miller, since the two are teammates under the American Top Team banner.

“Well, you know, I didn’t even want to watch the fight at first. I wasn’t able to see it. I can’t remember if I was on a flight, or if I was traveling for some reason, but I wasn’t able to see the fight live. I saw it a couple of days after it happened,” said Miller, while recalling the September 27th bout. “I mean, he caught him with a good punch. You know. That’s the end of that.”

For more on Miller and his thoughts on his upcoming fight with Holloway, head here.

UFC FN 60 will be hosted by Broomfield, Colorado’s 1st Bank Center on February 14th.