Pat Miletich Removed From LFA Commentary Duties Following Capitol Protests

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Pat Miletich’s participation in the protests that turned into a violent coup at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6 might have cost him his job with Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Multiple social media posts showed Miletich with a group of protestors supporting President Donald Trump, who marched from the White House to the Capitol, where hundreds entered the building to interrupt a ceremonial event affirming Joe Biden’s victory in the November election. In the riot that ensued, five people were killed — including a Capitol police officer — and the Senate was forced to evacuate.

Of course Pat Miletich was in DC on Jan 6th. pic.twitter.com/nVp1yayVAp

— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) January 11, 2021

While it doesn’t appear that the UFC Hall of Famer entered the building, he announced that he was let go from his commentating position with LFA.

“I just want to let you guys know that I just got a call from the folks at the LFA and they basically informed me that they were getting a lot of pressure because I was at the Capitol,” Miletich said in a video on Instagram. “I want you guys to know that the people I walked with at the Capitol, none of them that I know of were involved in any of the violence. I walked with white people, Black people, a lot of Chinese people who escaped communist China, who are for freedom. It was across the board it was people of different races, religions.

“But the LFA was getting a lot of pressure and unfortunately they felt they needed to distance themselves from me, which hey, I understand their position. I love all those guys, Ed [Soares] and Sven [Bean] and Mark [Bieri] and everybody, I love them. But the price of freedom is going to be heavy guys. Me losing my job is part of the pain. Even the people that pressured the LFA to get rid of me, I’m doing my best to fight for your freedom.”

LFA later confirmed that it had removed Miletich from commentary duties for its upcoming event in a statement that was released to Sherdog.com. However, it didn't reveal anything regarding Miletich's long-term future with the promotion.

“First and foremost, the LFA supports the participation of the constitutional right to peaceful protest,” the statement read. “During preparations for the 2021 debut broadcast, it was brought to the LFA’s attention that photos of questionable nature surfaced on various social media outlets involving fight analyst Pat Miletich. “While the LFA continues to investigate the situation, the decision was made to remove Mr. Miletich from broadcast duties for this Friday’s LFA 97 event.”

Miletich, a former UFC welterweight champion, admitted that he was a little bit “pissed off” by the current situation. However, he claims he ultimately has no ill will toward the promotion, which has served as a pipeline of talent for the UFC.

“I love those guys over at LFA,” Miletich said. “I understand their position. I will continue to fight for freedom.”

Miletich was arrested for driving under the influence in Illinois on June 29, a little less than two years after being arrested in September 2018 for operating while intoxicated. The Miletich Fighting Systems founder made his combat sports return in July, losing a decision to former boxing champion Michael Nunn in a kickboxing bout at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, Iowa.

LFA is set to hold its first event of 2021 at Jan. 15 at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas. The main card will stream on UFC Fight Pass.