Stipe Miocic: ‘I’m perfecting my Croatian and I’ll be over soon’

Stipe Miocic celebrates after beating Daniel Cormier in 2019 (Screenshot)

American-Croatian Stipe Miocic confirmed himself as the “best heavyweight ever” in mixed martial arts after beating Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 in Las Vegas on Saturday night. 

Miocic who has the most consecutive title defenses in UFC heavyweight history after defending his belt four times against Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Francis Ngannou, and Cormier, told 24sata in an exclusive interview that he can’t wait to visit Croatia again.

“I plan to come to Croatia as soon as this situation with the global coronavirus pandemic calms down. Both daughter Meelah Claire and wife Ryan Marie can’t wait to travel to Croatia for a little rest and socialising. And, of course, to see my father,” Miocic told 24sata. 

The part-time fireman, who has visited the land of his parents four times already, says that he is especially looking forward to the food in Croatia. 

“O God, yes! I will modestly tell you that for me it is the best food that exists in the world. Čevapi is my favourite, without a doubt.”

Stipe in Croatia (Photo: Facebook)

Miocic, who turned 38 yesterday, has two tattoos, a Croatian coat of arms on his foot and his family coat of arms showing how proud he is of his Croatian roots.

Whilst Miocic does not speak fluent Croatian, he is working on it. 

“Ma razumijem (I understand – he says in Croatian), but seriously, I understand the Croatian language, but I am still learning so I can know it even better,” he said. 

Stipe Miocic (Instagram)

Miocic, whose father is from Rtina near Zadar on the Dalmatian coast and mother from Cetingrad near Karlovac, had one last word for his fans.

Of course, it is very important to have the support of fans. For all those wonderful people who follow my work and look forward to my sporting successes I have only two words: ‘Thank you’.