Miletich and Ortiz Mending Fences With UFC's White
July 20, 2009
On the heels of Tito Ortiz smoothing over hard feelings with Dana White, it looks like another nemesis of the UFC head may be looking to mend fences. Pat Miletich recently spoke with MMA Weekly and stated that he and Dana White were looking to talk in order to air out their grievances and have some kind of meeting of the minds:
Miletich recently told MMAInsider that he’s working with White to arrange a meeting between them in the coming weeks. The famed trainer and UFC head honcho have been on the outs for years after a litany of slights, real and perceived, between them over the course of eight years in the industry.
Miletich reportedly washed his hands of White in 2006 after being promised a coaching spot on the third season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” only to see Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock take the job.
“I think we’ve both decided that it’s better that we’re not at each others throats,” said Miletich. “We’re both stubborn, and that’s our problem.”
Is there a general feeling of benevolence and good will on the part of Zuffa and it’s head honcho? Possible yet doubtful, there could be other motivations and subsequent repercussions from the thawing of relations with the two biggest detractors of the UFC and Dana.
PR- Whenever a piece for mainstream media is done on the UFC and White, the reporter will look to provide a counter argument against the UFC. Since no one serves that role in the MMA media, or dares to, generally Ortiz or Miletich are called upon to provide a counterweight to the UFC viewpoint. Re-establishing ties with Ortiz and Miletich will likely mute what little public criticism there is of the UFC’s business practices.
EA MMA - Ortiz has spent a year away from the sport rehabbing an injured back and is probably on the backside of his career but he still possesses much name recognition to the general public when it comes to MMA. His name and likeness would be a valuable commodity for the folks putting together the EA MMA game. The folks at EA may also find some value in using Miletich for their game. The EA Fight Night series for boxing is known for signing greats from boxing’s past in order to supplement their roster of in game talent. White’s moves to improve ties to Miletich and Ortiz may include some measure to preclude their involvement with the EA game. White is rumored to have signed on Royce Gracie for the THQ game and Miletich may be another name to add to that list if the two can come to some agreement.
Hall of Fame- Both Miletich and Ortiz are excellent choices for inclusion in the UFC’s Hall of Fame. Their qualifications for such enshrinement are pretty much beyond reproach. Their lack of inclusion owes much to their rocky relationship with the Voting Panel (ie. essentially Dana and Lorenzo.) The Hall at this point is something of a farce because of the political motives that have borne themselves out. Improved ties with Ortiz and Miletich, even if not for business purposes, may be a bridge to their eventual inclusion in the UFC Hall of Fame and the Hall actually gaining a modicum of credibility.
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