Pat Miletich
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Template:MMAstatsbox Patrick Jay "The Croatian Sensation" Miletich known as Pat Miletich (Miletić in Croatian) (born March 9, 1968 in Davenport, Iowa) from Bettendorf, Iowa is a mixed martial artist (MMA) well known for his fights within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems, which trains some of the most talented and popular fighters in MMA, such as former UFC Welterweight champion Matt Hughes, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia, former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver, and Robbie Lawler.
Biography
Early life
Pat was born in Davenport, Iowa, the youngest of 5 children (2 of his brothers are deceased). Miletich wrestled and played football at Bettendorf High School. He is believed to have begun wrestling at age six. Miletich said he wanted to be a world champion in something and wrestling was something he was good at. Although Pat originally planned to pursue football after graduating high school, he eventually chose to wrestle in junior college. Shortly thereafter, his mother became ill with heart problems, and Pat left school to care for her. Pat has stated in past interviews that he actually began fighting to help pay her bills.
MMA career
Pat started his MMA training at an age of 26. He had previously trained in karate, kickboxing and boxing in Davenport, mostly at Nick Tarpein's School of Martial Arts. Miletich learned much of what he knows about kickboxing, karate, and juijitsu from Nick Tarpein. Miletich was largely influenced in his boxing aspirations by his uncle, Johnny "Miller" Miletich. Johnny Miletich was a member of the U.S. boxing squad at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles and also fought professionally. Pat Miletich trained with coach Alvino Peña at the Davenport Boxing Club. A friend from Chicago who refereed his kickboxing matches got him into a Renzo Gracie seminar. After training in BJJ for a year, the same friend then got him into the "Battle of the Masters", a MMA tournament held in Chicago in 1995. He continued fighting at smaller events and enjoyed success. He was undefeated through 15 fights before losing to Matt Hume. Three fights later Pat fought in UFC 16 and won the first UFC Lightweight Tournament. At UFC Brazil:Ultimate Brazil, Pat defeated Mikey Burnett to become the first UFC Lightweight (under 200 lbs) Champion. The UFC changed the weight class limits again in 2001 and Miletich became the champion of the new welterweight division. In his fifth title defense (and first as a welterweight) at UFC 31 he lost to Carlos Newton by submission. This was his first defeat in the UFC. His next fight was a KO win over Shonie Carter at UFC 32. After this fight, Pat moved up to the middleweight division. This was partly due to encouragement by UFC management and because his teammate Matt Hughes defeated Carlos Newton to win the UFC Welterweight Championship. Pat returned to fight at his new weight at UFC 36 but lost quickly to Matt Lindland. Miletich decided to take some time away from professional fighting and recover from numerous chronic injuries. Miletich was scheduled to fight Frank Trigg at WFA 3 but pulled out due to injury.
Currently, Pat Miletich is the coach of the two-time International Fight League champions, the Silverbacks. In the first national broadcast on May 21, 2006, Pat's team beat Bas Rutten's Anacondas 4-1.
Miletich holds a 3rd degree black belt in Shuri-ryu karate. Pat has also trained with Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Sergio Monteiro and was awarded his BJJ black belt by Oswaldo Alves. Pat is the cousin to Danny Farmar, a former wide receiver for the UCLA Bruins football team who enjoyed a brief career in the NFL.
Personal Life
Miletich and his wife Lynne have a daughter.
MMA record
See also
External links
- Sherdog profile
- Pat Miletich IFL Page