August 17, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; Stipe Miocic is awarded the championship belt following his TKO victory against Daniel Cormier during UFC 241 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Former UFC Champion Stipe Miocic Steps Off The Canvas And Behind The Camera At Cleveland Browns Camp!

Stipe Miocic trades knockouts for snapshots as he joins his hometown NFL squad as a guest photographer in their training camp!

Retirement from professional fighting doesn’t mean the action stops completely. Many former UFC champions find new ways to stay busy after hanging up their gloves. Some become coaches, others open gyms, and a few lucky ones get to explore completely different passions. The transition from cage fighter to regular citizen can be tough for athletes who’ve spent years preparing for violent encounters. Finding a new purpose that brings the same excitement and fulfillment becomes crucial for their mental health and happiness.

Stipe Miocic knows all about major life transitions. The former UFC heavyweight champion recently called it quits after losing to Jon Jones in his final fight. At 42 years old, Miocic had already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history. But unlike many fighters who struggle to find meaning after retirement, Miocic has kept himself busy with his day job as a firefighter in Ohio. Now he’s added another interesting skill to his resume: impromptu photographer for the Cleveland Browns training camp!

Stipe Miocic Photographs The Cleveland Browns

The sight of Miocic walking around Browns training camp with a camera might seem unusual at first. However, it makes perfect sense when fans consider his deep Cleveland roots. Born in Euclid, Ohio, Miocic has always been a massive supporter of Cleveland sports teams. He regularly shows up to Browns games, and Ohio State football contests. The man bleeds Cleveland sports, so getting the chance to work closely with his beloved Browns probably felt like a dream come true.

always needed this collab, just didn't know this was how it would go@stipemiocic | @Flash_Garrett pic.twitter.com/cMIzSebpwB
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 29, 2025

Myles Garrett even picked him up before hugging it out. Miocic was with the actual photographer for the Browns, who introduced him as “his protege” to the team. Miocic seems to be enjoying this new impromptu role, and his warm welcome from Browns players like Garrett shows how much respect he commands in Cleveland!

Stipe Miocic’s journey from athlete to UFC champion is legendary. Starting as a wrestler at Cleveland State and briefly switching to baseball, he built a strong athletic base before transitioning to MMA. After an unbeaten amateur and early pro career, he joined the UFC and became heavyweight champion in 2016 by knocking out Fabricio Werdum. He defended the belt against top contenders and regained it twice in a trilogy with Daniel Cormier. Though he later lost to Ngannou and Jones, Miocic’s legacy as the greatest UFC heavyweight remains!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Myles Garrett

Stipe Miocic

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!