UFC Fight Night 60 Date: 02/14/15 Arena: 1STBank Center City: Broomfield CO Featherweight bout: Cole Miller (+300) vs Max Holloway (-360) Fight Breakdown: The co-main event for UFC Fight Night 60 will be a featherweight contest between Cole Miller and Max Holloway, with Miller being a +300 ($100 to win $300) underdog and Holloway being a -360 ($360 to win $100) favorite at Several Bookmakerss. Cole Miller (21-8 MMA, 10-6 UFC) currently enjoys a two-fight winning streak with wins over Sam Sicilia and Andy Ogle and will be looking to make it three in a row against Holloway, who in my opinion is his toughest opposition since facing Ross Pearson at 155-pounds, who he defeated via second round rear naked choke submission, though he went on to post an unimpressive 4-4 record against lesser-or-equal opposition following that bout. Miller a tough fighter with average conditioning who trains out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL, and is one of the proudest representatives of the camp. His striking skills are not great, though it is worth noting he has continues to make improvements in the department, as was evident with the fact that he outstruck and hurt Sicilia in his left outing, before dropping him with a jab and following him to the mat to take his back and secure the rear naked choke submission for the win. While Miller will be at a disadvantage on the feet in this match-up, he will have the edge edge in grappling; specifically Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The 30-year old is very talented on the mat and presents a threat every time the fight goes there; the fact that 15 of his 21 professional mixed martial arts career victories come by way of submission certainly reflect that sentiment. He will also have a two-inch height and six-inch reach advantage heading into, though it is worth nothing that he has never been great at using his height and reach, and it likely won’t play a difference against the superior striker in Holloway. Max “Blessed” Holloway (11-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is coming off a first round knockout over Akira Corassani at UFC Fight Night 53 four months ago, and with the victory, extended his winning streak to four, with all four wins coming inside the distance; three T/KO’s and one submission, two of which earned him ‘Performance of the Night’ honors. Heading into this co-main event scrap against the veteran Miller, the Hawaiian will be looking to make it five in a row with a knockout. The 23-year old is a very talented striker who moves well on his feet. His footwork is excellent, and he uses his range really well. He is good at moving in and out, and has fantastic striking technique. He likes to put all of his limbs to use, and puts together some great combinations on the feet. The Hawaiian, like most Islanders, is very durable and possesses a great chin. His submission game is decent, and constantly improving, as was evident with his guillotine choke submission of Team Alpha Male product Andre Fili at UFC 172 last year. The 10-time Octagon veteran likes to work on his all-around game to be a full mixed martial artist, though he makes it no secret that he is always looking to strike. Holloway has great takedown defense, and when taken down, he is active off his back, though not too effective, and he does a good job of finding his way back to his feet. He is a well-conditioned athlete who will be ready for three hard rounds of action, if necessary. Gabe’s Thoughts: I think the only way Miller could potentially win this fight is if he catches Holloway in a submission, but I don’t that that is a likely outcome to this featherweight contest. In order for that to happen, the fight would first need to hit the mat, and I don’t like the chances of that happening, as I believe Holloway’s takedown defense is much better than Miller’s offensive takedowns. The Hawaiian is not going to clinch up with him, so he won’t even have the opportunity to sneak in a trip takedown. Despite being at reach disadvantage, I think Holloway will manage the distance well and batter Miller on the feet, likely earning another T/KO stoppage, or possibly a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards, though I do favor a finish. Even at -360, I think there is enough value in the 23-year old to include him in this three-way parlay, as I think he should be a -430 favorite heading into the scrap. My guess is that he will reach that likely go beyond it by fight time. Gabe’s Call: Holloway by T/KO (strikes, 2:13 round 2) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Max Holloway (-360) parlayed with Brandon Thatch (-125) and Patrick Walsh (-165) at +269 for 3.75u to win 10.1u
