"I dont think he deserves a lot of things hes gotten. - Cole Miller commenting on Conor McGregor, Sherdog Radio. Well, here's another bold statement, but does it hold water? Not really. McGregor, like almost any other fighter, earned his way into the UFC. He didn't talk his way in. The self-promotion helps, but if he wasn't winning fights earlier in his career, he wouldn't be in the UFC today - nor would he be 3-0 in the promotion. It's worth noting that Miller himself has never had a three-fight win streak in the UFC, ever. McGregor was a two-weight class champion in Cage Warriors; Miller has never held a belt in any promotion during his pro career. Jake Shields came over from Strikeforce and got an immediate title shot. Hector Lombard got a huge contract coming in from Bellator. Cage Warriors isn't a huge promotion, which is why McGregor started out lower down the totem pole - but what you do prior to the UFC counts, and McGregor was already accomplished. It's worth noting he went up in weight to get that second belt. So in essence - yes, McGregor deserves it. It was his name that got the Irish fans into the arena at Fight Night 46. His performance that capped off the night (and earned a Performance of the Night bonus, his second bonus in three UFC fights). Cole Miller would be best served by focusing on his next opponent (though that is not yet announced), rather than worrying about what the man he was to face is doing, at least until a time at which the two can be paired up to meet again.
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.