Pat Miletich first MMA honoree for Wrestling HoF
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum has selected its special award winners for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz…
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum has selected its special award winners for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Class of 2011 includes winners of the Frank Gotch Award, Lou Thesz Award, Jim Melby Award, and George Tragos Award.
The Hall of Fame is located inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.
Jim Duggan, known by his ring name Hacksaw, will receive the Frank Gotch Award for bringing positive recognition to professional wrestling through work outside the ring.
The Lou Thesz Award, given to an individual in wrestling who has taken the skills of professional wrestling into the realm of public service, will be given to Jim Ross. Scott Teal will receive the Jim Melby Award for excellence in professional wrestling journalism.
Pat Miletich, a former Mixed Martial Artist and the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems, will receive the first George Tragos Award. This award is given to an exceptionally competitive wrestler who has adapted his wrestling skills and competitive nature to excel in Mixed Martial Arts.
This year’s George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction class includes two inductees—one living and one posthumous—and four special award winners. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are Dory Funk, Jr. and Gorilla Monsoon.
The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend will take place on July 22-23, 2011, in Waterloo, Iowa. The weekend includes a celebrity golf tournament, a professional wrestling show, wrestling seminars, a wrestling round table discussion, an autograph signing, and an induction banquet.
George Tragos Award: Pat Miletich
Pat Miletich is one of the most successful Mixed Martial Artists and trainers in the world. He is the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems—based out of Davenport, Iowa—which trains some of the most successful fighters in MMA.
As a competitor Miletich compiled a 29-7-2 Mixed Martial Arts record from 1995 through 2008, becoming the first Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion at UFC 16 in 1998. He is also a color commentator for Strikeforce which airs on CBS/Showtime. Miletich began wrestling at the age of five and wrestled for Bettendorf High School.
