Is UFC heavyweight legend Stipe Miocic a full-time fireman?

Achieving competitive success in MMA is one of the most difficult feats for an individual and demands complete focus and commitment. Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has achieved this while balancing between a full-time job and fighting. Winning UFC gold is the biggest and one of the rarest achievements of a mixed martial artist's career. Miocic achieving it while doing a demanding job makes it even more special.

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Is Stipe Miocic a full-time fireman?

Stipe Miocic works 12 to 24-hour shifts as a firefighter when he is not fighting in the UFC. The UFC heavyweight champion has even revealed that he plans on taking up a full-time job at the Valley View Fire Department, Cleveland upon his retirement from MMA.

While Stipe Miocic definitely does not need to work as a first responder to meet his daily needs, it is the humanitarian aspect of the job that lures him in. Talking about his reasons for continuing in the firehouse, Stipe Miocic told Bleacher Report in an interview:

"I like being there for a person that needs you. No matter if they're just a little bit sick or if they're in full [cardiac] arrest or something. Doing the best you can to get them stable and get them to the hospital … The whole fireman aspect, helping people any time, day or night, I just love it. I love every second of it, just knowing there's a chance I could help someone."

It was revealed in the #UFC260 press conference last night that Stipe Miocic did a shift as a firefighter paramedic (his part-time job) just last Friday. He defends his Heavyweight title tomorrow night. 😅Such a great guy. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dEWmH96b83

— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) March 26, 2021

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Stipe Miocic does not allow his UFC accomplishments to meddle with firefighting job

While Stipe Miocic might be considered one of the most dangerous men on the planet, he is imparted with no special treatment inside the firehouse locker room. According to Miocic, the other firefighters made him clean the bathroom wearing his UFC belt after he won the heavyweight title by knocking out Fabricio Werdum. in 2016.

Speaking about his relationship with his colleagues, Stipe Miocic told Bleacher report:

"I love what I do because I go train, then I come here and it's a total 180. It's calm, collected. We talk about fighting but we also talk about work, about life, what we're having for dinner. It breaks me off from fighting, and it keeps me grounded. These guys check me a lot. I don't act like I'm better than anyone, but they keep me grounded."

Ken Papesh, Miocic's comedic partner and the station chief during the interview, further added:

"The firehouse is a brotherhood. You are the only person who's allowed to continually beat and pick on your brother. And that's the way it is here. Nobody outside is allowed to mess with us, but inside, it's constant. … When he got back from beating Roy Nelson [in 2013], the next shift he was here, he was mopping floors."