By Pat Pytlik

Achilles Meridis was a great guy, a good mentor and an amazing coach that was always good to me while training under him during 3 years of college. The last memory I have training with him was when I showed up at the gym in a walking boot (air cast) after breaking my ankle. He asked me if I wanted to moved around and we sparred a few rounds, laughing. He always believed in me and after making the transition to MMA I’m grateful he got to see me win the Unified Welterweight Professional Title. He taught me a lot about being a fighter but more importantly a man I’ll forever be grateful for time I had with him.

This post is a part of a larger collection of pieces written in memory of Kru Achilles Meridis. View the collection here.