Pat Miletich, a UFC Hall of Famer and the first welterweight champion in the promotion’s history, was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Miletich was arrested at 6:16 a.m. local time in Bettendorf, Iowa after police received calls about a driver going the wrong way.
The 55-year-old was booked on his third drunk driving charge.
From KWQC:
Hours before he is to appear at a press event promoting his fight with @TheTruthJackson in Iowa, @PatMiletich was booked on his third offense for OWI (operating while intoxicated) in Bettendorf, IA. #MMATwitter pic.twitter.com/SVNFu8YW7m
— SuperBeast MMA (@SuperbeastCraig) September 14, 2023
In the police report it said the officer had to wake the driver and remind him to put the idling vehicle in park. The officer noted tire tracks in the grass that were consistent with what the caller said the driver did. Also noted was “fresh damage to vegetation growing on a retaining wall” in the Shell parking lot. There was damage and vegetation on the front of the truck Miletich was found asleep in.
The officer said the driver said he had drank wine and refused all field sobriety tests, a blood test and a Breathalyzer. The officer reported the driver had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, unsteady balance and smelled of alcohol.
Miletich’s previous drunk driving arrests were in 2019 and 2021.
A few hours after his arrest for drunk driving, Miletich still managed to appear at a press conference later in the day to promote his upcoming bout at Cage Aggression 36 on October 14. Miletich will be returning to the cage to take on UFC veteran Mike Jackson.
Answering questions from the media while you’re nursing a hangover? That’s dedication.
