Adrenaline MMA recently signed former UFC welterweight champion and world renowned trainer Pat Miletich (28-7-2) to compete against journeyman Thomas “The Wildman” Denny (26-17) at the Wireless Center in Moline, Ill., on December 11.
Miletich founded the infamous Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS) in 1997 in Bettendorf, Iowa. Fighters who have competed under his wing include, Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, Jeremy Horn, Jens Pulver, Tim Sylvia, Spencer Fisher and many other top class mixed martial artists.
As far as his own fighting career goes, Miletich won the original UFC lightweight (under 200 pounds) tournament at UFC 16 and later defeated Mikey Burnett at at UFC 17.5 to become the company’s first lightweight champion. When the weight divisions became more clear, it was the welterweight title that Miletich held.
He defended his strap successfully four times before losing by submission to Carlos Newton at UFC 31 to relinquish the crown.
In 2006, Miletich made a brief return to the sport in an International Fight League (IFL) super fight against Renzo Gracie. He was submitted in the first round by guillotine choke. When he faces Denny on December 11, it will have been more than two years since the IFL fight.
Denny, on the other hand, has been very active over the past couple of years and is no stranger to tough competition. This will mark his fourth fight in 2008 and he competed four times in 2007 as well.
His most recent fight was a second round technical knockout loss to Nick Diaz at Elite XC: “Unfinished Business” in July. “The Wildman” has also stood across the cage from top guys such as George St. Pierre, Joe Stevenson, Yves Edwards, Duane Ludwig, and Jon Alessio, among others.
This should be a very technical fight. Both of these guys have seen it all in this sport and have been around forever. Its hould be a solid addition for Adrenaline MMA on December 11.
The event will be the second in the young history of the Monte Cox-led organization. Also expected to compete on the card are “Big” Ben Rothwell, Ryan McGivern and others.
22 Comments »
Glad to see Pat back in the ring.
Yes it is , I think hell win by ko pretty easy.
pat! yes thats gonna be cool to see him back
hughes should have stayed with pat till he retired.. thats why hughes has lost “it” he isn’t the matt hughes we saw 2-3 years ago
I bet this is partially the reason why everyone is leaving MFS. He’s busy trying to make a comeback. Either ways, a hundred bucks says Adrenaline will cancel this event due to lack of funding.
I don’t think Pat is the ko kind of fighter, even in his hayday. maybe tko but a sub would be a better call.
dennis kang has signed a four fight deal with the ufc
Dennis Kang is the most over-rated fighter since Rickson Gracie. Yes, he is good, but he is no way near as good as people make him out to be
His fight with Akiyama and Mousasi was disappointing. Granted, Mousasi is a beast. I think he will be in the upper level Middleweight fighter though.
He’s over-rated by some. But I find that there are just as much critics of Denis, so it all balances out. I think Denis is a good fighter but not champion material. People shouldn’t write him off after losses to Akiyama and Moussasi, since both those guys are legit.
i agree pat, he is a solid fighter who is usually fun to watch i beleave he can still beat some of the best out there on the right night.
not this shit again… Pat needs to stay retired and go back to work on making his camp good again.
why does the wilddman look like wolverine?
lol remember when the wildman got hit in the back of the head with the elbows then cried like a girl
Hey I’ve got an idea, how about you try taking elbows like that from a world-class Muay Thai champion and not wince in pain…
how bout you. i was just saying garden boy.
I met Thomas Denny at a local show… he is a cool guy. and a very talented fighter. Dont copunt him out too quick in this one.. remember, Pat hasent fought in some time now. Thomas has a bunch of recent experience.
As an “Over 40″ gi-BJJ practitioner who just suffered a rib injury at the hands of a 230-lb 27 year old, all I can say is, “Aarrhhgg, I think it’s time for a water break!”
This is a young man’s sport and Randy is an exception not the rule.
I wouldnt count either of these guys out. When Pat was younger.. he was super bad ass. Denny can take alot of punches and swings with the best of em. The dude will literally fight anyone. Im going with Pat… but his age might be a factor. Pat is just way too technical for Denny I think.
Denny didnt look bad at all against Diaz. As a matter of fact… I gained a ton of respect for him during that fight. He was doing very well for a while.
Pat by KO
great to see a legend like Pat fighting again…Deny is a great guy as well…bu im pulling for Pat in this one
holy hanna…how old is miletich?
Pat is only 40 , Denny is 37 ..
I see Denny smashing Pat the first round and submitting him in the second. Thomas will control the fight start to finish.