“Caged Aggression XXXVI: Miletich v. Jackson" at the Davenport RiverCenter -- October 13 and 14.
Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14, 7:30 p.m.
Davenport RiverCenter, 136 East Third Street, Davenport IA
Their scheduled mixed martial arts clash fueled by personal animosity and stark ideological differences, the Quad Cities' own Pat "The Croation Sensation" Miletich and Mike "The Truth" Jackson will bring their "Bad Blood" showdown to Davenport's RiverCenter on October 13 and 14, the two-night Caged Aggression XXXVI event promising to be a fight for the ages, pitting skill against youth, experience against speed, and conservative views against liberally minded agenda.
The youngest of five children, Miletich was born in Davenport in 1986 to second-generation Croatian immigrant parents and started wrestling at the age of five, continuing at Bettendorf High School. He shared the Bettendorf High School wrestling room with future MMA champion Mark Kerr, and 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, and Miletich has stated in past interviews that he actually began fighting to help pay her bills.
Miletich started his MMA training at 26. Before this, however, Miletich trained at Tarpein's Dojo in Davenport with Grand Master Nick Tarpein, where he learned much of what he knows about karate, and was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the very first time. With Miletich's wrestling background, Jiu-Jitsu came naturally to him. When Miletich coupled BJJ with his strong foundation in boxing/karate, he realized where his fighting career should go: to the MMA.
As a professional, Miletich is now a mixed martial artist boasting 29 wins (seven of them by knockout) and sports commentator widely known for his fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he became the first UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC 16 Welterweight Tournament Winner. Miletich is also regarded as a highly successful trainer and coach, having founded Miletich Fighting Systems, a mixed martial arts academy in his hometown of Bettendorf. MFS has trained more than 90 televised fighters and 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 EliteXC Middleweight Champion and former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler. On July 6, 2014, Miletich was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Caged Aggression XXXVI event between UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich and UFC veteran Mike Jackson will take place on October 13 and 14 at Davenport's RiverCenter, with admission to the 7:30 events ranging from $45 to $600. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 and visit RiverCtr.com.
