More Than Just a Fighter

My father repping his Stipe shirt the day he received the gloves from the Champ

Stipe Miocic is arguably the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time in the eyes of many. He has quite the track record to show for it by not only defeating some of the sports greats, but by leaving the majority of his opponents’ unconscious. Stipe holds records for most title defenses in UFC heavyweight history and has carried the title “Baddest man on the planet” for over two years, something no other heavyweight has accomplish. Although his historic reign ended in a sudden knockout to current Heavyweight champ, Daniel Cormier, the chance for Miocic to seek revenge comes just over a year removed from being the champ. On Saturday, August 17th these two will square-off to claim the true rights of the “Baddest man on the planet.” Although many around the world know Stipe Miocic for his brutal power and elite athleticism, they don’t get to see the true Stipe Miocic that has had an important impact on my family.

Outside of the cage, you would never guess Stipe is a former Heavyweight champ. He is a family man and volunteer firefighter on the side. He’s known for his humble approach and exceptional work ethic, but more importantly, known for being from Cleveland, Ohio. He represents Cleveland as one of the few fighters from the area, and he takes pride in it. He’s the peoples champ. Representing an entire city that doesn’t have many sports championships makes him viewed as a local icon to most, which I can attest being from the Cleveland area. Stipe is constantly making appearances at events, charities, and is always attending Cleveland Indians games. This is where I met Stipe for the first time, and where I finally saw the true side to Stipe that the media or others don’t spend much time speaking about.

First, let me explain why Stipe Miocic is more than just a household name to my family. My father, who may be the biggest Stipe fanatic I know, was diagnosed with cancer shortly after Stipe claimed his title in highlight reel fashion against Fabricio Werdum in 2016. A fight we all remember vividly as we finally had a Cleveland Champion. My father was the one who got my brother and I in to the sport of MMA before it hit mainstream media. It slowly became a family event for us all. We would pack in the car and head up to a local bar to watch the fights. My father, who never had a particular favorite fighter, found Stipe as an up-and-coming prospect and instantly followed him his whole career. Having the same ethnic background and living in the same hometown as Stipe, my father had an instant connection and finally found his favorite fighter. He had always campaigned to get the UFC to come to Cleveland, and there was finally a reason to do so after Stipe took the belt from Werdum. Eventually, my father’s dream came true. UFC 203 was the first UFC event to come to Cleveland, and it was mine and my father’s first live event as well. We were scrounging up money to buy tickets last minute, and we managed to get a pair of some seats in the nose bleeds because there was no way we were going to miss the first, and so far, only fight in Cleveland, Ohio. To our family this was a big deal, being able to watch our favorite hometown fighter live, in our hometown defending his belt. It was an incredible experience and something I’ll cherish and hold on to for the rest of my life. It was something my brother, father and I got to finally check off our bucket lists by going to a live UFC event. The connection with Stipe after UFC 203 is what truly showed the great personality and connection Stipe has with his fans that often goes unnoticed.

Shortly after UFC 203, my father discovered his illness was terminal. He expressed he wanted to see Stipe fight just one more time as fight nights were something where our entire family could get together to relax, enjoy fights, and have a good time. My father, the Stipe fanatic he is, expressed he wanted to try and get tickets for his next title defense in Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, his title defense bout against Junior Dos Santos was sold out. After reaching out to Stipe to wish him good luck, Stipe had the simple yet kind gesture of sending a pair of signed gloves to my father. My dad, who was disappointed he couldn’t attend live, was thrilled when he saw this package in the mail. It was truly heartwarming to see such a small gesture put him in such a great mood in a time where nothing seemed to help. Stipe went on to knockout JDS in the first round to top off the weekend. It really couldn’t have gone any better. All I wanted to do was thank Stipe for the small gesture because it truly made a difference not only my father, but my entire family. I went to social media to try and get the message to him and thank him for what he did during a busy fight week and one of the biggest cards of the year. Although that message never came across his timeline, I eventually had my opportunity to thank him in a way I did not expect.

The day I was able to thank Stipe for everything he has done for my father and for my family

As I mentioned before, Stipe loves attending Cleveland Indians games. Being an employee of the Cleveland Indians, I have the privilege to encounter some high-profile individuals that come through the ballpark. Nearly a year later, Stipe checks in at the window as he was headed down to the field for an early batting practice and to throw out the first pitch of the game. I had no idea he was supposed to be coming through that day and was shocked when I looked up to see Cleveland’s champ standing right in front of me. I had the opportunity to escort him down to the field where I was able to thank him for what he did for my father and my family. He didn’t know at the time, but after talking with him and explaining the situation more in depth, he went out of his way to grab his agent and take down my information. I had no idea at the time why they needed my information but you’re not going to tell the heavyweight champ no. After hearing the situation of my father’s status and how much he was rooting for Stipe, he went out of his way to send another package to his biggest fan, my dad. It is the most he could have done leading up to his first fight against Daniel Cormier, arguably the biggest fight in heavyweight history. A shirt, picture and a note were sent to my father and just like the first time, and he was beyond thrilled. He did not expect Stipe to reach out a second time to show support for a fan who is going through the biggest fight of their life too. We all bought the Pay-Per-View at home so our father could watch comfortably, considering his condition. Unfortunately, Stipe lost in devastating fashion and was unable to re-create the perfect weekend like he did the first time. My father was still incredibly proud to be rooting for the hometown fighter despite the loss, and he wanted nothing more than to see him get the rematch he deserved.

Although my father was excited as ever to hear the news about the rematch, his health started to decline. He wanted more than anything to see Stipe get his rematch and was ready to throw on all his Stipe gear and watch the fight with our family, just like we have done for years. Due to his condition, we had special plans set to watch the fight at home instead of attending our regular local bar. Sadly, my father passed in early July. He fought just as hard as his favorite fighter by nearly tripling his prognosis and by hanging on as long as he physically could. Those kind gestures were more than uplifting for my father; they were reasons for him to keep fighting, knowing that he had not only his friends and family behind him for support, but the heavyweight champ in his corner too. I know he has the best seat in the house this Saturday, and I know he’ll be rooting more than ever for this fight. For our family, this fight is so much more than just your ordinary Pay-Per-View. Stipe is not just a household name to us anymore because he has proven to be so much more. He was able to do so much for my father in such a tough time, and the numerous small gestures he did to help lift my father’s spirits was more than what we could have ever asked for, especially when he was at the lowest of lows. Those who know Stipe for being a fighter, he is more than that. He is human. He is truly an icon to the city of Cleveland and holds a special meaning to me and my family.

If I had to guess where my father will be on Saturday August 17th, it’ll be front row rooting for Cleveland’s Champ to get the belt that he has always deserved.