Cole Miller on UFC Career, Max Holloway Battle & Old-School Fighters vs. Today’s Athletes

Erik Apple sits down with UFC featherweight veteran Cole Miller to catch up on his life nearly a decade after competing inside the Octagon. Cole shares updates on running Cole Miller Martial Arts in Warner Robins, Georgia, teaching law enforcement and military combatives, and his technical philosophy of "scientific violence".

Cole opens up about the unseen realities of professional fighting, including the story behind his grueling fight against Max Holloway featured in the GBS "Hard to Kill" mini-doc, navigating severe camp injuries, brutal weight cuts, and personal life distractions. They also reflect on the physical toll of a long MMA career, the multi-promotion "Golden Age" of the sport, and how today’s conditioned, high-IQ "athletes" differ from the battle-hardened "fighters" of their generation.

Episode Timestamps

00:07 – Erik Apple welcomes UFC featherweight veteran Cole Miller.

01:05 – Life 10 years after the UFC: Cole Miller Martial Arts in Warner Robins, GA.

02:05 – Tactical combatives, firearms instruction, and law enforcement training.

03:12 – The GBS "Hard to Kill" mini-doc & the reality of his fight against Max Holloway.

04:45 – What casual fans miss: Fighting injured, weight cuts, and camp logistics.

09:25 – Singular focus: Keeping relationship dynamics separate from fight camp.

11:03 – Teaching "scientific violence" and why Cole prefers coaching technical BJJ.

13:36 – The physical toll: Recounting endless surgeries, broken bones, and PRP therapy.

16:08 – Golden Era vs. Modern MMA: Comparing old promotions like Pride, WEC, and Strikeforce.

18:47 – Old-school "fighters" vs. today's conditioned, high-IQ "athletes".

23:02 – Where to connect with Cole Miller & USPSA competitive shooting.