CLEVELAND — Watch Stipe's meet-and-greet in the player below
How does Northeast Ohio native Stipe Miocic remain humble after twice winning the UFC heavyweight championship and defending it a record three consecutive times, all while holding down jobs as a firefighter/paramedic in the Cleveland suburbs of Oakwood Village and Valley View?
Well, Miocic has some help in that endeavor in the form of his brothers in uniform at the fire house.
From tweeting their congratulations with the caveat to heal fast because he had a shift next week or handing him a brush and having him clean the bathrooms, Miocic has taken some good-natured ribbing from his fellow firefighters, and that has not stopped since he regained the belt.
Much like after Miocic first won the UFC heavyweight championship with a first-round knockout of Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198 in May of 2016, the Valley View Fire Department will make him stand out front of the station on Hathaway Road and wave to fans.
Miocic once again brought home the UFC heavyweight championship with a come-from-behind victory over Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 241 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Saturday, August 17.
After struggling to find his range for much of 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 another lead left 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 slumping to the canvas, Miocic alternated right and left-handed punches and forced the referee’s stoppage with 52 seconds remaining in the fourth round.
By regaining the UFC heavyweight championship and avenging only the third loss in his professional career, Miocic improved his overall record to 19-3, including a 13-3 slate in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
