Scientific Wrestling has made it official; UFC Hall of Famer and coaching legend Pat Miletich has joined the organization as a partner and the new President of Shoot Pro Wrestling. This strategic move unites the historic lineage of Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling with the man who wrote the blueprint for modern Mixed Martial Arts coaching, signaling a new era for the sport ahead of the highly anticipated CatchCon 2026 event in Las Vegas.
Miletich’s appointment is best understood through his role as a pioneer of integration. In the late 1990s, he was among the first to dismantle the “style vs. style” dogma, treating combat as a singular, cohesive discipline. Organizers state that this same visionary approach will now be applied to Shoot Pro Wrestling, aiming to modernize and professionalize the sport globally.
The Prototype “Mixed” Martial Artist
Attendees at CatchCon 2026 will have the rare opportunity to learn from the sport’s first true hybrid athlete. While his contemporaries were often specialists, Miletich combined Bettendorf High School wrestling and Muay Thai with submission grappling to become the first-ever UFC Welterweight Champion. His success was driven by weaponized conditioning—dragging opponents into deep waters until they broke—a philosophy he is expected to instill in the next generation of Shoot Pro wrestlers.
Bringing the “Shark Tank” to Vegas
Miletich’s greatest legacy, Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS), is widely regarded as the most dominant dynasty in MMA history. By creating a “Shark Tank” culture where iron sharpened iron, Miletich mass-produced champions, including Matt Hughes, Tim Sylvia, and Jens Pulver.
As President, Miletich brings this “Champion Factory” mindset to Scientific Wrestling. CatchCon 2026 will not just be a seminar; it will be an immersion into the systems that produced 11 world champions. Miletich’s role will involve overseeing the technical evolution of the roster, teaching wrestlers how to integrate striking and defense seamlessly.
The Educator’s Perspective
Beyond his physical accolades, Miletich’s success as a broadcaster for ESPN and Strikeforce highlighted his unique ability to bridge the gap between fighter and viewer. Known for explaining why a technique works rather than just reacting to it, Miletich brings unmatched credibility and strategic forecasting to the organization. His ability to articulate the physical and mental toll of the fight promises to elevate the production and educational quality of Shoot Pro Wrestling events.
A New Era Begins in Las Vegas
“Pat Miletich saw the future of MMA before anyone else—that it required being well-rounded, extremely conditioned, and trained within a ruthless system,” said Jake Shannon, Scientific Wrestling founder. “Now, he is bringing that foresight to CatchCon 2026. This is the inauguration of a new era. Better, it is a full-on revolution, a return to the point of origin.”
CatchCon 2026 takes place in Las Vegas, featuring training seminars, networking, and the launch of the new Shoot Pro Wrestling season under Miletich’s presidency.
About Scientific Wrestling:
Scientific Wrestling is the premier organization for Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling, dedicated to preserving the history and driving the evolution of the sport through world-class events, coaching, and competition.
Contact:
Scientific Wrestling
https://www.scientificwrestling.com/public/CatchCon-2026.cfm
Training@ScientificWrestling.com
Scientific Wrestling
5610 Ward Road, Ste 300
Arvada
CO
80002
United States
