Stipe Miocic’s Heavyweight Blueprint
On May 14, 2016, Stipe Miocic knocked Fabricio Werdum out in the first round at UFC 198 in Curitiba, Brazil, winning the UFC heavyweight championship. The Ohio firefighter and former collegiate wrestler silenced a partisan stadium crowd with a decisive counterpunch. It was the beginning of a championship résumé that would include two title reigns and major victories over the division’s leading names.
From Ohio wrestling to the UFC
Stipe Miocic grew up in Ohio, wrestled at Cleveland State University, and competed in Golden Gloves boxing before turning professional in mixed martial arts in 2010. He joined the UFC in 2011. Miocic paired boxing combinations with wrestling and conditioning, developing into a heavyweight who could pressure opponents on the feet and defend himself in grappling exchanges.
Two UFC heavyweight title reigns
Miocic won the heavyweight championship with a first-round knockout of Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198 in May 2016. He defended it with a first-round knockout of Alistair Overeem, a first-round TKO of Junior dos Santos and a unanimous decision over Francis Ngannou before Daniel Cormier took the belt at UFC 226. Miocic regained the title in their rematch at UFC 241, using body shots before stopping Cormier in the fourth round.
Miocic and Cormier completed their trilogy at UFC 252 in August 2020. Miocic won by unanimous decision, retaining the championship. He faced Ngannou again at UFC 260 in March 2021, where Ngannou won by second-round knockout to end Miocic’s second reign.
Final fight and retirement
Miocic returned after a three-year layoff to challenge heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024. Jones stopped him with strikes at 4:29 of the third round. After the fight, Miocic announced his retirement from competition. He finished his professional career with 20 wins and five losses.
His championship résumé includes victories over several defining heavyweights of his era and a trilogy with Cormier that required substantial tactical adjustments. Miocic also maintained a career as an Ohio firefighter and paramedic, giving his life outside the cage a distinct public-service dimension.
Sources
- UFC: Miocic defeats Werdum
- UFC: Miocic career highlights
- UFC: Miocic fight record
- Associated Press: UFC 309 result and retirement
Article Tags
Stipe Miocic, Fabricio Werdum, Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou, Jon Jones, UFC, Heavyweight
