INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Stipe Miocic is not a fan of the 9 to 5 workday.
When the Cleveland-based mixed martial artist, who is currently the No. 1 contender for the Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight title, is not training for an upcoming fight, he is a part-time firefighter/paramedic with the Oakwood Village and Valley View fire departments.
“I’m from Cleveland, baby; that’s how we do it here,” Miocic said with his trademark sense of humor. “We’re hard workers. We all like working. We’re hard-working, blue-collar people. I don’t know. I just like working, man, always busy. If I’m not busy, then I get antsy and I freak out.”
The former NAAFS (North American Allied Fight Series) Heavyweight Champion and Golden Gloves boxing titlist, Miocic is 8-2 in 10 fights in the UFC, but even while training for his bouts, he remains committed to helping protect the lives of people in his community.
“My whole life, I always wanted to help people and be there for people,” Miocic said. “I always thought about being a police officer, thought about being in the Coast Guard. I have a bunch of friends that became firefighters.
“I always wanted to help people and being a fireman, a police officer or Coast Guard, just something, even a nurse. They told me what the hours were and how it worked, and I’m like, ‘Man, count me in.’ I can still work out, can still help people. The hours suck sometimes, but it’s worth it to me helping that person.”
Currently, Miocic is in the final stages of preparation for his shot at Fabricio Werdum and the UFC Heavyweight Championship after dispatching of former titleholder Andrei Arlovski in just 54 seconds at UFC 195 in January.
Following the win over Arlovski, Miocic ran around the cage demanding a title shot and was subsequently named the No. 1 contender. Then, after momentarily being named a replacement for Cain Velasquez in a Super Bowl weekend fight against Werdum only to have that fight cancelled, Miocic’s title aspirations were put on hold.
However, UFC President Dana White stood by his word and gave Miocic the title shot at the top of the card of UFC 198 at the Arena Atletico Paranaense in Curitiba, Brazil, Werdum’s home country. Although Miocic is fighting on foreign soil for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, he knows there will be plenty of support for him, especially from his fellow firefighters and paramedics.
“I actually have a bunch of them from Oakwood that are flying to Vegas just to watch the fight in Vegas to feel like they’re there, which is amazing,” Miocic said. “I’ve got my guys from Valley View. I’ve actually got one of my good buddies, he does a lot for me and I promised I’d take him to a fight. He wanted to go to the first title fight I ever fought in, and he’s like, ‘Man, I don’t know if I can go to Brazil.’ I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve got you.’ I’m going to take care of him.”
By helping his friend get to the fight in Brazil, Miocic is displaying the type of brotherhood and good-hearted nature that has made him so popular that kids enrolled in beginner’s classes and adults working out at his home gym, Strong Style, in Independence show him a constant stream of support.
“I’ll give you the shirt off my back if I have to,” Miocic said. “I love what I do. It’s gratifying to fight in front of millions of people. It’s cool, but I’m just the same old guy and I work at a fire station. I go out to the local bar or restaurant. I’m nothing different. I love what I do, but I’m just a simple, old Joe.”
A simple old Joe or not, when Miocic steps into The Octagon on Saturday night, he plans to reward everyone for their support with a championship celebration for his hometown.
“Werdum is a super-tough fighter,” Miocic said. “He’s the champ for a reason. He’s fought the best guys, beaten the best guys in the world. He’s phenomenal on the ground, but he’s going to come out and do his thing.
“That’s how he wins fights, but he hasn’t seen someone like me yet. I’m a fast heavyweight. I push the pace. I hit hard. I’m good on the ground, and I’m not going to give him any opportunity. I’m going to do what I want in that fight and I’m going to bring the belt back home to Cleveland.”
This story is the third in a five-part series leading up to Miocic's UFC Championship fight on Saturday night. Coming up tomorrow: Preview of Miocic’s UFC Championship bout against Werdum.
