CLEVELAND — When Stipe Miocic reclaimed the UFC heavyweight championship with a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 241 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California Saturday night, the Cleveland sports world was watching.
Several pro athletes around town, including members of the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers and Browns reached out to say congratulations to Miocic, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion who was born in Euclid and is a graduate of Eastlake North High School.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed his support in an Instagram story, and it did not take long for Miocic to get the message.
“It was awesome,” Miocic said of Mayfield’s support shortly after arriving at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Sunday. “He’s such a good dude. That was awesome of him. I’ve had a bunch of guys, even LeBron. It was a bunch of guys. It was awesome.”
Shortly after arriving home from the Browns’ preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Mayfield watched the fight alongside several friends, and when Miocic earned the fourth-round stoppage victory, the second-year quarterback celebrated the moment.
“Yes,” Mayfield screamed while channeling his best Bruce Buffer impersonation. “You’re (expletive) right. CLE. Whoo. Stipe. World champion. Yes sir.
“Heavyweight champion of the world, Stipe Miocic.”
And Mayfield was far from the only one to reach out to Miocic after the championship win, as a training partner, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and friend, Cavaliers power forward Larry Nance Jr., also expressed their congratulations.
Ahead of the preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium, Garrett took a few seconds to send video well wishes to Miocic before the heavyweight championship rematch with Cormier.
“Man, it’s time to go get that belt, bring it back to the city, bring it back to ‘The Land,’” Garrett said. “ I’m so excited for you. I know you’re going to win that championship belt, bring it back, and we’re all going to be rooting for you, brother.”
“Larry Nance, Myles, those guys are awesome,” Miocic said. “It’s just great, man.”
After struggling to find his range in the first three rounds, Miocic picked his spots during the fourth frame and was sticking and moving, engaging with punches, including several left hooks to Cormier’s ribs, and getting out of the pocket before the defending champion could respond.
Then, after a lead hook to the body, 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.
With Cormier falling to the canvas, Miocic alternated right and left-handed punches and forced the referee’s stoppage with 52 seconds remaining in the fourth round.
“I didn’t have to make it a war,” Miocic said. “I just started off very slow, slower than I usually start. I’m a slow starter, but man, it was awkward, you know? I was wondering, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ and then, I got a second wind.
“I got a second wind, but in the third round and the fourth round, that’s really when I thought about the opening with the body shots. When I hit him, I’m like, ‘Oh, there’s a chink in the armor, so go with it.’”
Before Miocic worries about what’s next for him in the UFC, he plans on returning the favor by supporting his hometown teams as the Indians and Browns make pushes toward the playoffs in 2019.
“I’ll see you at the Browns games,” Miocic said. “Go Browns…and Indians, actually.”