What does it mean to be iconic? Do you have to be a hero or a celebrity? Is it representing the symbolization of an idol? When the term is used in sports, it’s not thrown around loosely. One thing is for sure, the term is connected to winning. Like Charlie Sheen winning, but with actual results. To become an icon of a sport, one most have to pull off feats that only a few others can say they have. They have to be champions and alphas of their craft.
With the UFC being born in Denver, Colorado, in 1993, the company has gone under several transitions and ownerships since that time. UFC started as a once a year spectacle, holding a one-night tournament with 16 brave souls from every type of combat sports background. As the years grew, it went from a tournament style format to a weight class format.
In the pre-Zuffa era, which is before Dana White and the Fertitta brothers bought the UFC in 2001, you had a sport still trying to find its spot in the sports world. There were so many talented fighters, yet, the difficult part was trying to deliver a great brand to the mass market. It was also a time of uncertainty as politicians like Senator John McCain would go on a witch hunt to make MMA illegal in the United States. You can consider this list paying homage to the men who sacrificed their bodies in a time with so much uncertainty. Besides, who doesn’t want to know what the craziest and toughest guys in the world are doing today?
15. Pat Miletich: Self-Defense Coach/MMA Broadcaster
via mma.tv
What do UFC champions Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, Tim Sylvia, and Robbie Lawler have in common? They all trained out of Bettendorf, Iowa, under the tutelage of Pat Miletich at his gym, Ultimate Fitness. Before Pat was churning out world-class champions, The Croatian Sensation made history by becoming the first UFC Welterweight Champion in 1998. His MMA career didn’t start in the UFC, but once he debuted for the promotion, he was a wrecking ball.
He won the UFC 16 Welterweight Tournament and defended the Welterweight Championship a total of four times. Four times may not seem like a lot by today’s standards but pre-Zuffa, it was a huge accomplishment. Today he trains law enforcement in self-defense and works as an MMA broadcaster for AXS TV and ESPN.
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