Sherdog’s Top 10: Most Influential Fighters

Pat Miletich’s contributions to MMA cannot be overstated. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

7. Pat Miletich

Like Urijah Faber, Miletich’s contributions to the sport of MMA fall into multiple categories. The Iowan was one of the first American fighters to pursue well-roundedness as a goal, and the camp he founded, Miletich Fighting Systems, produced an entire generation of UFC champions and spread his methods far and wide.

Miletich wrestled throughout his youth and briefly in junior college before dropping out. He also had a background in karate and took up boxing, along with Brazilian jiu-jitsu. These bases -- boxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling -- formed the pillars of Miletich’s diverse and highly competent game, and he imbued those skills with a serious measure of hardheaded toughness and athleticism. That approach served him well, taking him to 15-0 before he ran into fellow pioneer and future coach Matt Hume and suffered his first loss. Miletich followed that by winning the inaugural UFC welterweight championship, known then as the lightweight title, which he defended four times.

“The Croatian Sensation” could wrestle well enough to force grapplers to strike, submit wrestlers and outwrestle strikers -- a functional and durable combination of skills that still functions well even today. Through his gym, Miletich Fighting Systems, the Iowan taught this approach to fighters like Matt Hughes, Tim Sylvia, Jeremy Horn and the current UFC welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler. Even more than technical game, however, MFS taught a vicious and violent brand of fighting that defined an entire era of American MMA.

Although MFS is largely gone today, Miletich remains an important voice in MMA through his work as a commentator for AXS-TV fights. On matters of technique and approach, Miletich remains as sharp as ever and a constant source of knowledge on the ever-evolving sport.

Number 6 » By the time he began to compete in American promotions on a full-time basis, his game was nearly complete and easily able to contend with the talented but limited specialists who were common in those days.