Juliana Miller nickname: Why is the TUF 30 winner known as 'Killer?'

Juliana Miller was given the nickname ‘Killer’ by her MMA coach Manolo Hernandez.

Fighters use nicknames to tell stories about their life and journey in combat sports. Some fighters are even known by their nicknames more than their actual name, including Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung.

Miller, a newly-signed UFC women's flyweight, has a catchy nickname with an interesting origin story. Before becoming a fighter, she overcame an abusive relationship that led to a violent physical altercation. During her UFC Vegas 59 post-fight press conference, the 26-year-old had this to say about the situation leading to her nickname ‘Killer’:

“He heard about some legal trouble I was in, and he said, ‘Hey, did you really try to do that to that guy?’ I said, ‘Absolutely, and I would try to kill him again.’ He said, ‘Oh, you’re going to be a world champion, and your nickname is, ‘Attempted Killer Miller.’ “As I went pro, people kept asking me, ‘Who’d you try to kill,’ and I was like, ‘Mmm, eff that person,’ so now I’m just a killer, and all of that is history.” [6:53-7:40]

After going 6-0 as an amateur, Miller made her professional MMA debut in June 2019. ‘Killer’ won her first two bouts by first-round submission before losing to Claire Gutherie under the Invicta banner. Along with a handful of grappling matches, the California native’s three pro fights were enough to earn a spot on The Ultimate Fighter Season 30.

Miller won two fights during the show against Clair Guthrie and Kaytlin Neil, leading to a high-stakes matchup against Brogan Walker. On August 6, 2022, ‘Killer’ defeated Walker by a third-round TKO to become the TUF 30 champion and earn a UFC contract.

Watch Juliana Miller defeat Brogan Walker below:

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What’s next for Juliana Miller?

Juliana Miller’s first fight with an official UFC contract goes down on Saturday, March 18, at UFC 286. The 26-year-old women’s flyweight will take on Veronica Hardy, who hasn’t fought since March 2020. Hardy holds a promotional record of 1-4 and hopes to get back in the win column after overcoming concussion issues.

Miller vs. Hardy is the opening bout for UFC 286, which takes place inside the O2 Arena in London, England. In the main event, Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman meet for a third time in a rubber match that has the UFC welterweight championship on the line.