Former UFC champ Pat Miletich considering U.S. Senate run

Pat Miletich, a former UFC champion who turned to broadcasting after his MMA retirement in 2008, is reportedly considering a run for the U.S. Senate.

Miletich discussed the possibility with the Quad-City Times.

“A lot of people are fed up with a lot of things that are happening in the country,” he told the newspaper. “I’m not a fan of the left, socialist mentality at all.”

Miletich, who said he’d run as a Republican or independent, first tweeted the possibility this past week. The tweet followed news that Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, said he is running for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

“Bruce Braley cannot win that seat,” Miletich wrote.

A Senate run would obviously impact Miletich’s current work. The 47-year-old Iowan, who went 29-7-2 with four UFC title defenses during a successful 13-year fighting career, also has trained some of the biggest names in the sport at Miletich Martial Arts. Lately, he’s called fights for Strikeforce on Showtime, as well as a variety of organizations on AXS TV (formerly HDNet). He’s also done work with ESPN.

He’s reportedly considered a run in politics for the past few years.

Miletich wouldn’t be the first MMA notable to run for office in his home state. Upcoming UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, as well as recently retired UFC vet Chris Lytle, both staged campaigns for state office that ultimately fell short.