Patrick Miletich
Patrick Jay Miletich also popularly known as “Pat Miletich” or “The Croatian Sensation” weighing about 77 kg and 5 ft 10 inches in height is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He was born on March 9, 1968 in Davenport, Iowa,USA.
Patrick was born in Iowa and was the youngest among the five children. He use to wrestle as well as loved playing football at Bettendorf High School. Unfortunately, he left his junior mid way to take care of his sick mother. Like any other fighter, even Patrick had big dreams which he wanted to achieve. Though he wanted to pursue football after his high school; he eventually landed up choosing wrestling, as he wanted to earn little extra money to take care of his family.
His natural abilities got him success in just no time. He stood victorious and proud, when he defeated Mikey Burnett on October 16, 1998 and acquired his first title, The UFC lightweight crown. The success story doesn’t ends here, he moved ahead to the welterweight division, and won the title.
Certainly making his name recognized across the globe, Patrick is also the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems, who is responsible to produce 11 MMA world champions, few including former lightweight champion Robbie Lawler and Jens Pulver, former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes as well as former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, popularly known as “The Maine-iac”.
At the age of 26, Miletich started his MMA training at the very famous Nick Tarpein’s School of Martial Arts. He started with Karate, Boxing and Kickboxing. Wanting to become a perfectionist, he also trained at the Davenport Boxing Club with Coach Alvino Pena. Soon came his first break, after he completed his BJJ training, when his one friend from Chicago, got him into “The Battle of the Masters”, a MMA tournament, which was held in Chicago in 1995.
Continuing fighting in minor events, he consistently enjoyed success. Patrick was unstoppable; he defeated his opponents and won 15 fights before he lost to Matt Hume.Three fights later, he won his first UFC Lightweight Tournament in UFC 16 and in no time, at UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil, he won his first UFC Lightweight Championship defeating Mikey Burnett. In 2001, the weight class limits was changed by the UFC and Patrick became the new Welterweight Champion. He faced his first defeat in the UFC in UFC 31, where he lost via submission against Carlos Newton. After his victory over Shonie Carter at UFC 32, he was moved up to the middleweight division.
Pat Miletich is married to wife Lynn and has a daughter, also presently is the coach of the Silverbacks, the two-time International Fight League Champions.
Pat has trained with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Sergio Monteiro, and also holds a 3rd degree black belt in Shuri- ryu- karate.
Except of an impressive martial arts record of 28 wins, (4 by TKO’s, 18 via submissions, 6 by decisions) 7 losses and 2 draws, he also quite well-known for his atrocious training sessions, which constantly produces the most endowed and well-shaped fighters.
By Sherdog.com Staff
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