MMA: New foe ‘grateful’ to fight Penn at UFC 199

While Hilo’s BJ Penn is returning to the ring in part to rekindle his glory days, his new opponent at UFC 199 has much more modest goals.

Enter Cole Miller, who Wednesday was named as Dennis Siver’s replacement opposite Penn in a featherweight bout June 4 in Inglewood, Calif. Siver had to bow out thanks to an undisclosed injury.

“I’m grateful to BJ and the UFC for giving me the opportunity to fight a legend and feed my son,” Miller told FOX Sports on Thursday.

The 32-year-old Miller (21-9), listed at 6-feet-1, hasn’t fought since a no contest against Jim Alers almost five months ago. Previously, Miller lost a decision to Oahu’s Max Holloway, his fourth defeat in seven fights.

Penn (16-10-1), who’s gone 1-5-1 in his last seven fights, hasn’t fought since July 2014 and hasn’t won since 2010.