Under the Microscope: Analyzing Welterweight Greats

Pat Miletich was a pioneer. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Pat Miletich

* Welterweight Record: 10-2 (.833)
* Opponent Winning Percentage: .620
* Longest Winning Streak: 15
* Record in Major Welterweight Title Fights: 5-1
* Finish Percentage: 60
* Finished Percentage: 100
* Notable Victories: Shonie Carter (twice), John Alessio, Andre Pederneiras
* Career Accomplishments: UFC 16 welterweight tournament winner; UFC welterweight champion, with four successful title defenses; 2014 UFC Hall of Fame Inductee

CASE FOR: “The Croatian Sensation” was the first UFC welterweight champion, adding four defenses before relinquishing the belt to Carlos Newton. That record was surpassed by pupil Matt Hughes, but it remains the third-best mark in divisional history today. At a time when the sport was in its infancy, Miletich was the man to beat at 170 pounds and one of the pioneers that ushered in the first generation of well-rounded fighters. His success in title matches is enviable, and his tendency to finish fights makes him an automatic G.O.A.T. contender. Years after his time as a relevant fighter was over, Miletich continued to make his mark on the sport, founding one of the most successful fight camps to date.

CASE AGAINST: Not unlike all great founding fighters, time does not fall favorably on Miletich’s résumé. An unavoidable side effect of getting in at the ground level is that competition was thin, which erodes some of the luster of Miletich’s accomplishments. Names like Jorge Patino and Kenichi Yamamoto -- Miletich’s first and last title defenses -- just do not stack up when compared to the champions that followed. You cannot blame someone for being the best fighter in an untalented generation, but if we are being objective, we must accept what the numbers dictate: Miletich was the best welterweight at one point but not the best of all-time.

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