- published: 28 Apr 2014
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Patrick Jay Miletich (English pronunciation: /ˈmɪlɨtitʃ/; born March 9, 1968) is a retired American mixed martial artist and a current sports commentator. He is known for his fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he became the first UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC 16 tournament champion.
He founded Miletich Fighting Systems, which has trained over 90 televised fighters and no fewer than 11 MMA world champions, including former two-time UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes, former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia, former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver, and former Elite XC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler.
Miletich, the youngest of five children, was born in Davenport, Iowa, to Croatian parents. Two of his brothers are deceased. Miletich wrestled and played football at Bettendorf High School. As a senior in 1986, Miletich shared the Bettendorf High School wrestling room with future MMA champion Mark Kerr, who was a freshman just beginning his wrestling career. Miletich is believed to have begun wrestling at age six. He said he wanted to be a world champion in something and wrestling was something he was good at. Although Miletich originally planned to pursue football after graduating high school, he eventually chose to wrestle in junior college. When his mother developed heart problems, he left school to care for her. Miletich has stated in past interviews that he actually began fighting to help pay her bills.