Stipe Miocic to headline UFC 203 in Cleveland

What a difference a few weeks makes. In mid-May, Stipe Miocic was preparing for his UFC 198 bout against reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio on May 14 in the Brazilian’s home country. Now, after upsetting Fabricio and being named the new Heavyweight Champion of the World, the new champion delivered some special news during the first quarter of Wednesday night’s Cleveland Cavaliers game at The Q: Miocic will be the headliner of UFC 203 when he defends his title against No. 3-ranked contender Alistair Overeem at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Not only will he be fighting in his hometown, but it will be the first time a UFC main event will be in The Land and first time in Ohio since UFC 96 was in Columbus in March, 2009.

Heavyweight Champ @StipeMiocicUFC just announced some exciting news at The Q:@UFC is coming to @TheQArena on 9/10!https://t.co/ykaJWgrbM3

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 26, 2016

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Miocic is a huge Cleveland sports fan and has expressed that on social media. The firefighter is from Euclid, Ohio, went to Eastlake North High school, and graduating from Cleveland State before deciding to train in Independence and become a UFC fighter. With a career record of 15-2, the fight will be Miocic’s first title defense.

With wins six of his last seven bouts including three consecutive, Miocic is one of Cleveland’s most popular athletes, especially now that he is a world champion. But, he will have his hands full against Overeem. Known as “The Demolition Man”, the 36-year-old trains in Amsterdamn, Netherlands and was born in England. Like Miocic did in Fabricio’s hometown, Overeem will try and steal the spotlight away from 33-year-old in his hometown in mid-September.

UFC 203 is set for September 10 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on pay-per-view.