5 UFC stars who worked regular jobs

#2. Former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks

‘Bigg Rigg’ was one of the largest, most brutal welterweight fighters of his generation. He came agonizingly close to securing welterweight gold against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 167 in November 2013. He later enjoyed a 2014 run with the title after GSP vacated it.

In the years after, Hendricks’ once sterling win/loss record took a tumble with him eating defeat in six of his last five bouts. The man himself blamed the USADA ban on IVs for post-weight cut rehydration as the reason for his declining performances in the octagon.

Hendricks has since moved on to a more conventional work life as a high school wrestling coach. The notoriously hard-hitting former welterweight champion has also led combat training programs for armed forces and police officers.

Last but not least, the All Saints High School teacher opened his own gym in 2018 called Bigg Rigg Fight Club. Needless to say, Hendricks’ transition into the coaching side of the fighting world has kept him plentifully busy since his June 2018 retirement announcement.

#1. Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic

Arguably the greatest UFC (and MMA as a whole) heavyweight fighter ever still works as a firefighter and paramedic to this day. The pride of Cleveland plies his trade with the Valley View Fire Department in Ohio and frequently works exhaustingly long shifts during his time away from the octagon.

The record holder for the most successful consecutive defenses of the UFC heavyweight strap (3) has answered near a thousand calls to action for the department. As a paramedic, Miocic performs a multitude of high-intensity, life-saving tasks such as resuscitation and setting broken bones.

The two-time heavyweight kingpin has confirmed more than once that he is likely to move into this field full time when he retires from fighting. After winning a truly epic trilogy with Daniel Cormier, Miocic dropped the strap to Francis Ngannou earlier this year at UFC 260.

It is unknown when Miocic will be making his return to the octagon. Needless to say, he’ll be keeping much busier than most during his lay-off period, much to the benefit of those in need in the Cleveland area.