CLEVELAND — Perhaps the greatest heavyweight career in Ultimate Fighting Championship history almost never happened.
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has been around the world competing in mixed martial arts fights on four continents, but his first experience with the sport very nearly proved to be his last. Miocic’s mother, Kathy, did not approve of her son even watching the early days of the UFC, where there were very few rules and no weight classes.
“You know, it’s funny,” Miocic told reporters at the 20th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. “I actually watched UFC 2 or 3. One time, I rented a VHS at the video store, brought it in, and my mom, who really never swore at me, she dropped F-bombs and told me to take it back.
“She’s like, ‘you’re never watching it again,’ and look at what I do for a living. She supports me fully, but never watches. It’s funny how it all works out, but like I said, ‘I’m blessed to be part of such a great city, great people.”
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Miocic does a little more than just does this for a living, as he is once again on top of the heavyweight division, an honor that comes with the unofficial moniker of “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”
The record-holder for the most consecutive successful defenses of the UFC heavyweight championship, Miocic improved to 19-3-0 in his professional career with the redemption victory over Daniel Cormier last August, and is 13-3 since joining the UFC in 2011.
“I think it’s kind of how Cleveland is,” said Miocic, a graduate of Eastlake North High School and former standout wrestler at Cleveland State University. “Sometimes, we do good, and then, we get the (stuff) kicked out of us. Then, we get back at it and come back up.
“It showed my daughter. I lost the title, and I just wanted to show her, ‘No matter what happens, just stick to your guns and get back what’s yours.’ That’s what I did and showed her that hard work pays off.”
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After struggling to find his range in the first three rounds, Miocic picked his spots during the fourth frame and engaged with punches, including several left hooks to Cormier’s ribs, and got out of the pocket before the defending champion could respond.
Then, after a lead left hook to the body late in the fourth round, Miocic landed a straight right hand to Cormier’s chin. That wobbled Cormier and Miocic moved in for the finish. Miocic landed three right hands before connecting on three short lefts while putting Cormier against the cage.
As Cormier slumped to the canvas, Miocic alternated right and left-handed punches and forced the referee’s stoppage with 52 seconds remaining in the fourth round.
All of that happened after Miocic suffered a torn retina on an eye poke early in the fight that went unaddressed by the official.
For regaining the title, Miocic was named the Professional Athlete of the Year Award winner at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, joining an elite group of athletes honored over the last 20 years, including Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and former Cavaliers star forward LeBron James.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d get punched in the face for a living,” Miocic said. “One-hundred percent. This is crazy. It’s amazing just to be nominated.”