Cole Miller hands Ross Pearson first loss

Cole Miller had a tall task before him at UFC Fight Night 22 on Wednesday night, despite having a height and reach advantage over his opponent, Ross Pearson.

Like Miller, Pearson emerged in the Octagon from The Ultimate Fighter, though Pearson won his season, and has since racked up two more UFC victories. Miller has been solid, but has also stumbled twice in the Octagon.

Not so in Austin, Texas.

Miller weathered a difficult first round, going toe-to-toe with Pearson, who is widely considered a much better technical striker than the American Top Teamer.

It was round two, however, where Miller’s patience paid off. Pearson went right back to working on Miller’s lead leg with low kicks, like he did early in the opening round, but Miller finally found the opening to utilize his reach, rocking Pearson with a couple right hands that sent the Brit staggering back to the cage. Miller followed up with a left hook, right cross combination that put Pearson on the mat, then immediately finished him off with a rear naked choke.

Point, set, match.

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