CLEVELAND — He has become a national sports superstar, but for Stipe Miocic, Cuyahoga County will always be home.
Miocic landed at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Sunday evening less that 24 hours after beating Daniel Cormier to regain the UFC heavyweight championship. His face still looked battered from the four-round fight, but the 36-year-old was riding about as high as we was on his flight.
"I didn't have to make it a war," he told WKYC (the only Cleveland television station at the airport) of the bout. "I just started off really slow...Chink in the armor. Go with it."
WKYC EXCLUSIVE: Stipe Miocic says reclaiming UFC heavyweight title 'means a lot'
One of the highlights of the fight's aftermath was Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who posted a video on his Instagram story of himself screaming in celebration of Miocic's win. Stipe confirmed that, yes, he had indeed seen Baker's post.
"He's such a good dude," he said, before giving a shout out to both the Browns and the Indians. "That was awesome of him."
It is unknown when Miocic will fight next. For now, he will merely enjoy the company of his wife and daughter and bask in the glory of the belt he always believed was rightfully his.