CLEVELAND -- At the top of the mountain, especially in the fight game, there is no time for rest.
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic did not have much time to savor his dominant unanimous-decision victory over top-ranked contender Francis Ngannou after UFC 220 in Boston on January 20th, as he was chosen to be a coach for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter and had to catch a flight to Las Vegas for six weeks of taping for the build-up to his summer defense against Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 226 on July 7.
But now, Miocic has returned home and was able to soak up the hometown love from his fans at the Cleveland International Auto Show at the IX Center Thursday night.
“Oh, you have no idea how good it feels to be home,” Miocic told WKYC.com in an exclusive interview. “I’ve been in Vegas for a whole month. To be with Kaulig Racing and Leaf Filter, I’m so happy to be a part of this team and to meet fans at the Auto Show.
“I love the Auto Show. It’s so much fun. I’ve been here the last couple years and it’s an amazing time. I’m just ready to go home, hang out in Cleveland, be here in Cleveland, hang out with the dogs, my wife and just enjoy life now.”
Before Miocic made the decision to coach on TUF 27, he had to check with his wife, Ryan, who was three months pregnant with the couple’s first child when his fight against Cormier was announced. Taping concluded on March 1st, and Miocic caught a flight to make it back in time to appear in the Cleveland Auto Show.
After signing autographs and posing for photos with fans, Miocic headed home to see his family and continue preparing the house for the arrival of their daughter, who is due to come into the world on August 1st.
And in his trademark good-natured humor, Miocic laughed when talking about his family.
“My life is over…in a good way,” Miocic said. “I love the fight game more than anything, but listen, having a child, that’s all I care about.
“Fighting is awesome, but eh, whatever. I’m just thrilled that me and my wife are going to have a baby, having a baby girl. So now, it looks like I’m going to have three Leos in the house with my wife, the baby and the dog. They’re all divas, so it’s going to be a terrible, terrible time in my household. I might go bald.”
Miocic announced the pregnancy during his post-fight interview following the win over Ngannou, and joked with the media that his daughter would not “be able to date until she is 35.”
And while that may be a little bit of an exaggeration, Miocic will be ready when that time comes.
“I’ve got to keep strong,” Miocic said while flexing. “When these kids come over, I’ve got to be working out. I’m going to be that 60-year-old, all eight-packed out.
“I’m just excited. It’s going to be a new experience. A lot of things are going to slow down, which is awesome. It’s good to spend time with the family now and enjoy my family. The baby’s grandparents, it’s going to be awesome to have them over and just enjoy life. I’ve never experienced it, and I’m excited to experience it.”
