While everyone knows that it’s the athletes that make any sport worth watching, there are invariably many behind-the-scenes people that leave their mark. Ask any current UFC fan who those important non-fighters were in UFC history and you will hear names like Dana White, the Fertitta brothers, Joe Silva, maybe even Joe Rogan. Older fans might give you names like Rorion Gracie, Art Davie, Bob Meyrowitz, or John Peretti. One name that might be passed over in many fan’s minds, is Jeff Blatnick.

Amateur Wrestling

Prior to his participation with the UFC, Blatnick had made a name for himself in amateur wrestling. He had been a New York state champion in high school. Ten times in his career, Blatnick earned the title of national champion. He was a member of the 1980 Olympic team, and became an Olympic champion in 1984. That year, he and teammate Steve Fraser became the first Americans to ever win gold at the Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling. It would be his connection to the American amateur wrestling circuit that would define his impact on the UFC. He would be selected by his teammates to carry the county’s flag during the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics. This honor spoke not only to his abilities on the mat, but his character and perseverance. Blatnick’s credentials in broadcasting are not limited to the UFC, either. He has done commentary for NBC, ABC, and ESPN. He has also served on the board of directors for USA Wrestling.

Battles with Cancer

Two years prior to his Olympic triumph, Blatnick was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While many athletes would have their careers ended by a cancer diagnosis, Blatnick battled the disease intent on returning to the mat. Not only did he return to competition, but it would only be two years later that he would be wearing his Olympic gold. This would not be Jeff’s only battle with cancer. The curse would return to him in 1988 and this time the treatment, involving chemotherapy, would be the end of his competitive career. Always making the most of the situation, Blatnick travels and does appearances doing motivational speaking based around his cancer triumphs. He would, later in life, say that he felt guilty for his fame, as it came from his trials with cancer. The Olympic gold medal tells a different story.

UFC Participation

Jeff Blatnick’s first UFC would be the promotion’s fourth show. He would be in the booth with Bruce Beck and Jim Brown. While Blatnick would always work well with the former, the latter would be a source of tension during the broadcast. It seemed as though Brown resented a perception that Blatnick was rooting for Dan Severn, a fellow wrestler. This is ironic, as Jim Brown’s role in the UFC was rarely anything more than rooting for Royce Gracie. There would be more bizarre tension for Blatnick during the week leading up to UFC 5. This time, the manager for Jon Hess would challenge the former Olympic champion to a fight. Thankfully for the dignity of all involved, this did not materialize. During his time as a broadcaster, Blatnick consistently showed a deeper understanding of the action than most of his peers. He foresaw the sport as a single style composed of many different martial arts. At UFC 17, he would become the commissioner of the UFC. This position would be similar to the one currently held by Dana White, but with less responsibility and influence. During his time as commissioner, Blatnick would participate in the fight to get MMA sanctioned by state athletic commissions and legitimized in the public perception. This would include helping to draft early versions of the unified rules now used by the UFC.

Jeff Blatnick may not be remembered as the most important figures in UFC history. Like many of the people in this column, however, he does not deserve to be one of the UFC’s forgotten stories.