Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic wants to save one of the communities that helped propel him to become a combat sports legend.
Stipe Miocic is regarded by many as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time after several decorated runs as the promotion’s heavyweight titleholder. His wins over the likes of Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou, Junior dos Santos, and others still stand the test of time.
Miocic announced his retirement following a loss to Jon Jones at UFC 309 in November. As he looks ahead to the next chapters of his life, he remains a fan of combat sports and wants to make a difference in his community.
One of the most important chapters of Miocic’s life was when he competed for the Cleveland State University wrestling program before transitioning to MMA. His collegiate athletic career helped develop a strong base which he later used to dismantle some of the UFC’s all-time great heavyweights.
After announcing his MMA retirement, Miocic is turning his attention to saving the Cleveland State wrestling program.
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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCStipe Miocic brings awareness to the death of Cleveland State’s wrestling programIn a recent post to X, Miocic shared an emotional statement after recent news about his alma mater.
“I’m sick to my stomach and heartbroken for these young men and coaches,” Miocic said. “One of the oldest sports at Cleveland State University, wrestling, is being cut. As a former wrestler at CSU, this program was a huge chapter of my life and shaped me into the person I am today.
“I’ll always cherish what it gave me. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this decision. I hope there’s still time to make a difference and save this incredible program. Let’s save the program!”
Earlier this month, the Cleveland State athletic department informed the wrestling team that they were cutting the program, along with softball and women’s golf. The university has struggled financially for several years, according to a report from the Akron Beacon-Journal, which is a significant reason for the cuts.
There’s an ongoing campaign to cover legal expenses associated with appealing the university’s decision to cut the wrestling program. To donate to the GoFundMe, check out the link here.
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Stipe Miocic calls to save Cleveland State’s wrestling programCleveland State’s sports cuts are potentially linked to the Name, Image, and Likeness system that has seen pros and cons across college sports. Smaller schools like Cleveland State are now climbing steep slopes to try to compete with larger Division I athletic departments and universities.
Miocic made his mark in Ohio as a Golden Gloves heavyweight boxing champion and a standout wrestler. He made his professional MMA debut in an Ohio-based promotion and would later make his first UFC walk in 2011.
As Miocic turns the page on his MMA career, he’s attempting to raise awareness of Cleveland State’s athletic cuts in an attempt to save its wrestling program. It might be too late for CSU to reverse course, especially with Miocic’s financial backing.
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