The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 30 winner, Juliana “Killer” Miller,returns to action against Ivana Petrovic at UFC Des Moines this weekend (Sat., May 3, 2025) from inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
Miller opens the show with a heavy heart, carrying the weight of a devastating 2024.
Last year was the most painful of Miller’s life. She endured multiple injuries, requiring two major surgeries and one minor procedure, which sidelined her for months. But, the deepest wound was the loss of her grandmother, who raised her.
“At the end of the year, my beautiful grandma went to heaven, and she raised me my whole life,” Miller told MMAmania.com recently. “I’m really grateful she passed peacefully in her sleep. She was in a lot of pain. She was very religious, so I’m glad she got to go be with God and be an angel.
“However, for selfish reasons, it was hard for me to let go,” Miller added.
Her grandmother witnessed Miller’s rise, including her UFC contract win; however, her final memory was Miller’s one-round loss to Luana Santos — a defeat that haunts Miller, but fuels her fire.
“The last time she saw me in MMA competition, she saw me getting hurt, she saw me losing,” Miller explained. “She saw the down-swing of my career, and I knew in my heart she probably wouldn’t make it to my next fight.
“So, it’s really important to me to show up healthy, because I made a lot of promises, and I believe she’ll be watching me from heaven,” Miller added. “I really want her to see that I can do it, that I’m doing well, that I’m happy fighting.”
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Miller’s dominant TUF victory over Brogan Walker sparked high expectations, fueled by her aggressive style and vibrant personality. Yet, injuries plagued her UFC bouts, preventing her from meeting those hopes, and fans haven’t held back their criticism.
Now, Miller fights for herself, not public approval.
“The first few fights, when fans turned against me, it affected me greatly because I wanted to be it — I wanted to be her,” Miller said. “I wanted to be that person who could shock the world. And as much as other people hate, when you come up short, you’re a lot harder on yourself than anyone else could be.
“The more hate that came in, the deeper it made me feel in a hole, because at that point, I really did care,” Miller added. “I wanted these people to like me, but I’ve finally reached a point where I’m not here to prove myself to a troll at home hating on me. I really don’t care. I’m grateful for them tuning in, whether they want to hate or support — it’s still attention. I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported and believed in me.”
Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Mired in her first career losing streak and grieving her grandmother, Miller faces Petrovic with more at stake than ever. And she’s ready to unleash her pain in the cage.
“I really feel like this is going to be a game of chess, and I just feel that I’m a bit more nitty-gritty, especially with my mindset and what my heart has been through,” Miller said. “I’m not scared to get punched. I’m not scared if I get a little bloody. I’m prepared to be brutal and aggressive and just have my game plan, but do it more intelligently this time.
“The emotion and pain that I’m bringing into this fight are going to be incomprehensible for her. I know that everybody is going through their own personal battles. However, I feel my mountain was steeper and more treacherous to get back here. So, you know, you can expect a war out of me. I’m not here to point-fight. I’m not afraid of a bloody mess.
“This fight means everything to me, so I’m coming in swinging,” Miller concluded.
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