A UFC legend may not have received the send off that fans believe he was owed but he’s quickly put that behind him.
The UFC’s heavyweight division is set to finally begin a new era in several months time when Tom Aspinall faces Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321.
Before all of the debate surrounding Jon Jones’ run, which happened after he won the vacant title following Francis Ngannou’s UFC departure, there was one man that stood tall at the top.
Some questioned whether Stipe Miocic’s heart was in his UFC 309 return which would end up being the final fight of his career after he stepped back inside the Octagon following a three-year break.
Having competed in nine consecutive heavyweight title fights to end his career, in which he broke the record for the most consecutive and overall defenses, Miocic will always be an all-time great even if he has quickly moved onto a new career path.
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Fans react to Stipe Miocic becoming a photographer for the Cleveland Browns
Stipe Miocic was well known for continuing to work as a firefighter while being the baddest man on the planet at the top of the UFC’s heavyweight division.
It was always clear that while he would take breaks from this line of work to step into the spotlight, the former champion was incredibly passionate about this line of work.
As an Ohio native, he has always received incredible support from his home state, having successfully defended the belt in Cleveland when Miocic stopped Alistair Overeem at UFC 203.
In a recent video posted on social media by the Cleveland Browns, it looks like the NFL team has added a new recruit to their ranks, though he won’t be taking to the field.
The video shows Miocic interacting with several players while taking photos, with another member of the team’s staff, who is also there to take photos, referring to the former champion as his “protégé today”.
Miocic even told one of the players, “I’m a content creator now man, that’s what I do.”
Fight fans on social media were incredibly happy to see Miocic engaging in something that is a clear passion for him and turning it into a potential career path now that his time as a fighter has come to an end.
‘Yo that’s amazing. Imagine being one of the greatest champions in combat sports, a hall of famer, getting respect wherever you go, and then retiring with your full faculties and getting to do something creative that you enjoy with your days. Mad happy for Stipe.’
‘He’s the real life Rocky Balboa of Cleveland and he couldn’t be happier about it. Glad he’s finding something so fulfilling after fighting.’
‘Bro doing side quests now. I wouldn’t be surprised if they told him to gear up.’
‘That’s dope! Bro just living his life and doing what he wants to do.’
‘Wholesome af. Love Stipe!’
‘He living the best life ever.’
Many of the reactions on social media were focused on one aspect of the video
The very first clip of the video sees Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett sneak up behind Stipe Miocic while he’s on the job, lifting him up in the air before the two men shared an embrace.
Many of the reactions to the video on social media focused on the defensive end’s seemingly effortless ability to lift the former UFC heavyweight champion.
Fortunately, he was greeted with a warm reaction from Miocic, who remains arguably the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.
‘Lmaoooo bro picked up the former heavyweight champ with absolute ease! CRAZY!’
‘Bro Myles Garrett is a unit. F—— crazy.’
‘Myles make Stipe looks much smaller!’