VALLEY VIEW, Ohio -- Former Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James was not the only Northeast Ohio native to be featured during broadcasts of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was featured in Modelo Especial commercials during breaks in the action, and the normally quiet fighter out of Euclid and Eastlake North High School enjoyed the national exposure.
“They’re pretty awesome, right?” Miocic said of the commercials while addressing the media at his Valley View Fire Station.
“Actually, it’s funny because I have a lot of friends not from Cleveland. They’ll text me and they’re like, ‘Hey’ and they’ll have a picture of a Modelo. They’re like, ‘I love this beer.’ I’m like, ‘You better. Good answer.’”
Modelo Especial featured Miocic because of his hard work and accomplishments, both in and out of The Octagon, as he serves as a firefighter in the Cleveland suburbs of Oakwood Village and Valley View when he is not preparing for an upcoming championship bout.
“It’s just great,” Miocic said. “I’ve gotten so many, so many compliments.
“Modelo, they did such a great job on the commercial, from the production aspect, the people there, how nice everyone was, the company in general. The company in general is one of the best companies I’ve ever worked for and one of the best products I’ve ever had. They’re just so awesome. They’re just great to work with.”
PHOTOS: UFC Champion Stipe Miocic shows fighting spirit by serving his community
When Miocic steps into The Octagon, he fights for far more than a paycheck or championship belt. Miocic fights for his family, as well as his Croatian heritage, something that he is deeply proud of and grateful to have.
Whether it be incorporating the checkerboard pattern of the Croatian coat of arms into his fight gear or the tattoo of that same coat on his right foot, Miocic embraces his heritage as a nod of appreciation to his parents, Bojan and Kathy.
“Getting to see it in real life, my mom was so ecstatic,” Miocic said.
“The best part of that whole thing was we were at that shoot and the guy’s like, ‘Man, you guys have amazing chemistry.’ I was like, ‘I sure hope so. It’s my mom.’ He was like, ‘Oh, fair enough.’ He didn’t know because she didn’t know if she was coming.”
PHOTOS: UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic readies to defend title against Daniel Cormier in July
Miocic is scheduled to defend the UFC heavyweight championship against light-heavyweight titlist Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 226 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday night.
Including a dominant unanimous-decision victory over Francis Ngannou at UFC 220 in Boston back on January 20, Miocic is on a six-fight winning streak. Miocic is 18-2 in his professional career and 12-2 in 14 bouts under the UFC banner.
And should Miocic extend that winning streak to seven straight fights, he plans on coming home and celebrating as only a Midwestern kid who works as a firefighter/paramedic can.
“Modelo, bro. 100 percent. In my barn,” Miocic said. “It’s going to be great.”
“I think people are starting to catch on with my whole ‘Midwest Boy’ mentality and just loving life. I don’t need to talk smack. I don’t need to hurt someone’s feelings. The only time I really talk smack is when I’m here at the station when I have to fen for myself.”
