UFC pioneer Pat Miletich loses job after attending Capitol riot

Miletich announced the news on his Instagram account on Jan. 12.

Pat Miletich, the UFC’s first welterweight champion and renowned mixed martial arts coach, has been released from his commentary job with Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) after the former fighter posted pictures of himself at the Jan. 6. U.S. Capitol riot.

Miletich took to Instagram to share the news, revealing that LFA officials were being “pressured” and wanted to “distance themselves” from him for being present at the Capitol.

“The price of freedom is going to be heavy,” Miletich said on Instagram. “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.”

Miletich added that he “walked with white people, Black people [and] a lot of Chinese people who escaped communist China.” However, the photos published by Miletich on Jan. 6 showed him standing with a group of white men, one of whom was wearing a Right Wing Death Squad (RWDS) patch while the other flashed the OK hand sign—a gesture used by some to denote white power.

Amazing day. Citizens are tired of the corruption. I saw zero violence

Posted by Pat Miletich on Wednesday, January 6, 2021

One of the men pictured alongside Miletich was also reportedly seen alongside a group of Proud Boys, seemingly giving them orders before marching towards the Capitol. Miletich also revealed that he met with Proud Boys lead coordinator Joe Biggs on Jan. 6, whom he previously hosted on his Conspiracy Farm podcast.

The Proud Boys are a far-right, neo-fascist hate group that has been vocal in their support for President Donald Trump to overthrow the 2020 presidential election. Last week, the group’s leader was arrested in Washington, D.C. for his alleged role in vandalizing a historic Black church and was charged with destruction of property and two counts of possession of a firearm magazine.

Following their role at the Jan. 6. Capitol insurrection, Canada is considering designating the Proud Boys as terrorists. Despite their role in far-right violence over the past few months and their continued attempts to incite violence in the wake of the Capitol riot, Miletich defended the group on Instagram.

“You can say whatever you want about the Proud Boys—whatever the media wants to paint—there are Black guys, Latino guys, white guys, Asian guys; it is what it is,” Miletich said. “They’re fighting for freedom but the media paints them as racist.”

Miletich has since defended Trump, claiming he “did not incite violence.” He also continues to spread disinformation about the insurrection online.