Pat Miletich

Pat Miletich also known as "The Croatian Sensation" is a mixed martial artist (MMA), and a former world champion in both lightweight and welterweight. Miletich started training at the age of 26, at Nick Tarpein's Martial Arts Center in Iowa. Here, Miletich learned about Kick Boxing, Karate, and Jiu Jitsu. Miletich's influence was his Uncle Johnny "Miller" Miletich who was a boxer in the US Olympics in 1932. In 1995 a friend of Miletich got him into a mixed martial arts tournament, called the Battle of the Masters in Chicago. Miletich then continued fighting in small events where he was very successful. Miletich went undefeated for 15 fights until he lost to Matt Hume. In 1998 Miletich won the UFC lightweight tournament at UFC 16. Shortly after that fight in 2001 the UFC changed their weight class limits making Miletich the UFC welterweight champion. Miletich lost by submission, the UFC welterweight title to Carlos Newton in UFC 31 marking his first defeat in the UFC. In 2002 Miletich decided to take some time off to recover from several injuries sustained in many fights. Miletich returned in September 2006 to fight Renzo Gracie in an International Fight League (IFL) super fight. Miletich lost the fight by submission while in the guillotine choke. Miletich is founder of Miletich Fighting System, which has trained some of the most talented and popular fighters in mixed martial arts such as, Matt Hughes, Tim Sylvia, Jens Pulver and Robbie Lawler. Miletich currently is the coach of the two-time IFL champions, the Quad City Silverbacks who defeated Bas Rutten's team the Los Angeles Anacondas in 2006.