What is Stipe Miocic net worth and what do we still don’t know about the legendary fighter?
Throughout his career, Miocic has set remarkable records in the UFC: he defended his title four times across two championship reigns, holds the longest streak of title defenses in the heavyweight division with three consecutive wins, and has earned nine fight-night bonus awards, the most in the division’s history.
These achievements, along with his impressive skill and resilience, have cemented Miocic’s reputation as the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time.
On November 16, 2024, in Madison Square Garden, Miocic, now 42, was defeated by Jon Jones and decided to retire from UFC. He leaves behind a long career full of memorable moments.
Who is Stipe Miocic?
Stipe Miocic is an American mixed martial artist and the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Born in Euclid, Ohio, to Croatian parents, Miocic was a multi-sport athlete in high school, excelling in baseball, football, and wrestling at Eastlake North High School.
While in college, Miocic drew interest from several Major League Baseball teams and became an amateur boxing champion in Cleveland. Today, alongside his career in MMA, he also works as a firefighter and Emergency Vehicle Operator (EVO) in Oakwood.
Stipe Miocic Most Memorable Fights Of The Former UFC Heavyweight Champion
Stipe Miocic is widely regarded as one of the best heavyweight fighters in UFC history. His career fighting record is 20-5-0, meaning he won 20 fights, lost 5 and had no draws.
Here are five of his most significant fights that showcase his legacy in the sport.
5. Stipe Miocic vs. Fabricio Werdum (UFC 198)
At UFC 198 the American, at the time 33, claimed the UFC heavyweight title by silencing an arena of nearly 45,000 fans who had come expecting hometown hero Fabricio Werdum to defend his belt.
In the week leading up to the fight, Werdum, who had won the title by defeating Cain Velasquez in Mexico City, seemed relaxed, often joking and making silly faces that fans replicated with paper cutouts. His lighthearted demeanor sharply contrasted with Miocic’s focused, composed approach.
As the fight began, Werdum came out aggressively, backed by his trainer, Rafael Cordeiro, a key figure in Curitiba’s fight culture. The faster-than-expected 240-pound Werdum pressed Miocic, but Miocic skillfully countered, staying elusive and steady. Then, near the Octagon fence, Miocic landed a clean right hand that shook Werdum. Moments later, another right dropped him to the canvas at 2:47 in the first round.
Reflecting on his victory, Miocic credited his powerful shot. “Thank God,” he said. He celebrated as Cleveland’s new champion, shouting, “Cleveland, we got a champion, baby! Croatia, we got a champion, baby!”
4. Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem (UFC 203)
In his first title defense, Stipe Miocic secured a first-round TKO victory over Alistair Overeem at UFC 203 in Cleveland, thrilling his hometown crowd. The fight was stopped at 4:27 into the round after Miocic knocked Overeem to the mat and unleashed a series of strikes, forcing the referee’s intervention.
Overeem came out strong, even rocking Miocic with a short left and attempting a guillotine, but Miocic broke free and quickly took control. Miocic’s power proved decisive as he sent Overeem crashing down, solidifying his place as the heavyweight division’s dominant force.
This victory marked Miocic’s fifth straight win, following his TKO over Andrei Arlovski and knockout of Fabricio Werdum to win the belt.
Overeem had questioned Miocic’s focus before the fight, yet Miocic’s performance made clear that he was a formidable champion, challenging the heavyweight division’s history of short-reigning titleholders. With victories over top contenders, Miocic positioned himself as the heavyweight division’s new face, bringing stability to a division long in need of a lasting champion.
3. Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou I (UFC 220)
At UFC 220, Stipe Miocic proved himself as the true “Baddest Man on the Planet” by successfully defending his heavyweight title against rising star Francis Ngannou. Despite Ngannou’s reputation for fearsome power, Miocic dominated the fight with smart wrestling and relentless pressure, winning by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44).
Miocic’s strategy was clear from the start—he ducked under Ngannou’s strikes, attempted single-leg takedowns, and wore down his opponent. By the second round, Ngannou was visibly exhausted, allowing Miocic to control the rest of the fight and take it into the third round, a first for Ngannou.
This victory marked Miocic’s third consecutive title defense, setting a new record in UFC heavyweight history. While he’s not known for flashy antics, Miocic celebrated his historic win by sharing his excitement about becoming a father, further endearing him to fans.
2. Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier II (UFC 241)
Although Stipe Miocic statistically lost the first three rounds against Daniel Cormier at UFC 241, he ended the night victorious, reclaiming the heavyweight title with a TKO in the fourth round.
In their first fight in July 2018, Cormier had capitalized on Miocic’s lowered guard during clinch exits, knocking him out in the first round to claim the title. After defending it once, Cormier entered this rematch as the favorite. He showed impressive control early on, landing a high percentage of strikes and even executing a powerful slam takedown.
Despite absorbing Cormier’s fast strikes, Miocic adjusted his approach in the fourth round, targeting Cormier’s body instead of his head.
The strategic shift wore Cormier down, eventually forcing him back to the cage. Miocic unleashed a relentless series of punches, leading referee Herb Dean to stop the fight at 4:09 of the fourth round, marking Miocic’s triumphant return as UFC heavyweight champion.
1. Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier III (UFC 252)
The epic trilogy between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier reached its thrilling conclusion at UFC 252 in Las Vegas, with Miocic defending his heavyweight title and solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest champions in UFC history. In a hard-fought battle, Miocic won by unanimous decision after five intense rounds, with judges scoring it 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in his favor.
Miocic credited his victory to his team and family, calling it a “team effort.” Throughout the fight, Miocic demonstrated his striking skills, while Cormier managed a takedown early but struggled as the fight progressed. A crucial eye poke in the third round hindered Cormier’s vision, affecting his performance. Despite this setback, the fighters exchanged powerful blows until the final bell.
After the match, Cormier, 41, announced his retirement, saying he would only fight for titles and saw no future title shots on the horizon. Reflecting on his career, he shared, “It was a pretty good fight.”
When Was Stipe Miocic Last Fight?
The last fight for Stipe Miocic marked the 5th defeat to his career as he lost to Jon Jones
Stipe Miocic remained positive despite a third-round TKO loss to Jon Jones at UFC 309, marking his return after nearly four years. The 42-year-old had aimed to become a three-time champion but announced his retirement shortly after, ending a legendary career with nine consecutive UFC title fights and 30 total bouts.
Reflecting on Instagram, Miocic expressed gratitude: “I started fighting in bowling alleys and ended at Madison Square Garden. You can’t plan a perfect ending, but I hope I made you proud—especially Croatia and Cleveland.”
Known as one of the greatest heavyweights in UFC history, Miocic holds the record for most consecutive title defenses (3) and delivered iconic wins over Fabricio Werdum, Francis Ngannou, and Daniel Cormier. To his opponents, he said, “It was an honor to go to war with you, brothers.”
Stipe Miocic announced his retirement after #UFC309
A legendary career for the former UFC heavyweight champion 👏 pic.twitter.com/ClJwvD1ayW
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 17, 2024
What Is Stipe Miocic Net Worth?
As of 2023, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Stipe Miocic’s net worth at approximately $4 million USD. This valuation includes his MMA career earnings, which total around $8,127,000, along with outside endorsements.
Miocic’s highest payout came from his UFC 252 bout against Daniel Cormier, where he earned $1,190,000—comprised of a $750,000 base salary, a $400,000 estimated PPV payout, and $40,000 from sponsorships.
Career Endorsements and Sponsorships
Modelo
Miocic has partnered with Modelo for multiple ad campaigns, including a significant collaboration in 2018 for the #CincUp campaign, supporting the First Responders First initiative for Cinco de Mayo. He praised the brand for its commitment to giving back: “They’re all about giving back… I was on board right away.”
Cub Cadet
In 2018, Miocic signed a deal with Cub Cadet, a Cleveland-based manufacturer of outdoor power equipment. His manager, Jim Walter, highlighted the natural alignment between the brands: “Stipe is the most elite heavyweight of all time, and Cub Cadet is the leading global manufacturer of outdoor power equipment. The synergy in brands is incredible, and our partnership is a perfect fit.”
Stipe Miocic Career Earnings
Stipe Miocic’s total recorded MMA fight earnings amount to $8,127,000. Currently active in the UFC, his estimated net worth ranges from $8 to $10 million USD.
His largest payday came from his fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 252, where he earned $1,190,000.
Miocic’s fight performance shows a clear trajectory of increasing skill, recognition, and earnings over his career. Early on, his base salary and win bonuses were modest, with no PPV payouts or large performance bonuses, indicating his initial status as a rising contender in the UFC.
Now he is one of the most legendary UFC fighters and his matches always guarantee a huge payout. Check out his total career earnings below.
Total Career Earnings
| Opponent | Date | Event | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | PPV Buys | PPV Payout (est) | Performance Bonus | Sponsorship | Total |
| Paul Barry | 5/21/2010 | Moosin: God of Martial Arts | W | $1,000 | $1,000 | n/a | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,000 |
| Joey Beltran | 10/8/2011 | UFC 136 | W | $6,000 | $6,000 | n/a | $0 | $0 | $5,000 | $17,000 |
| Phil De Fries | 2/15/2012 | UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs Ellenberger | W | $8,000 | $8,000 | n/a | $0 | $50,000 | $5,000 | $71,000 |
| Shane Del Rosario | 5/26/2012 | UFC 146 | W | $10,000 | $10,000 | n/a | $0 | $0 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Stefan Struve | 9/29/2012 | UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs Miocic | L | $15,000 | $0 | n/a | $0 | $40,000 | $30,000 | $85,000 |
| Roy Nelson | 1/15/2013 | UFC 161 | W | $15,000 | $15,000 | n/a | $0 | $0 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Gabriel Gonzaga | 1/25/2014 | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs Thomson | W | $20,000 | $20,000 | n/a | $0 | $0 | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| Fabio Maldonado | 5/31/2014 | TUF Brazil 3 Finale: Miocic vs Maldonado | W | $25,000 | $25,000 | n/a | $0 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $160,000 |
| Junior Dos Santos | 12/13/2014 | UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs Miocic | L | $30,000 | $0 | n/a | $0 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $140,000 |
| Mark Hunt | 5/10/2015 | UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs Hunt | W | $30,000 | $30,000 | n/a | $0 | $0 | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 1/2/2016 | UFC 195 | W | $60,000 | $60,000 | n/a | $0 | $50,000 | $5,000 | $175,000 |
| Fabricio Werdum | 5/14/2016 | UFC 198 | W | $65,000 | $65,000 | 217000 | $17,000 | $50,000 | $30,000 | $227,000 |
| Alistair Overeem | 9/10/2016 | UFC 203 | W | $600,000 | $0 | 450000 | $300,000 | $50,000 | $40,000 | $990,000 |
| Junior Dos Santos | 5/13/2017 | UFC 211 | W | $600,000 | $0 | 300000 | $100,000 | $50,000 | $40,000 | $790,000 |
| Francis Ngannou | 1/20/2018 | UFC 220 | W | $600,000 | $0 | 350000 | $150,000 | $0 | $40,000 | $790,000 |
| Daniel Cormier | 7/7/2018 | UFC 226 | L | $750,000 | $0 | 380000 | $180,000 | $0 | $40,000 | $970,000 |
| Daniel Cormier | 8/17/2019 | UFC 241 | W | $750,000 | $0 | 400000 | $200,000 | $50,000 | $30,000 | $1,030,000 |
| Daniel Cormier | 8/15/2020 | UFC 252 | W | $750,000 | $0 | 500000 | $400,000 | $0 | $40,000 | $1,190,000 |
| Francis Ngannou | 3/27/2021 | UFC 260 | L | $750,000 | $0 | 500000 | $400,000 | $0 | $40,000 | $1,190,000 |
| Daniel Cormier | 7/7/2018 | UFC 226 | L | $750,000 | $0 | 500000 | $400,000 | $0 | $40,000 | $1,190,000 |
Breakdown Of Stipe Miocic Earnings
So what are Stipe Miocic career earnings? The graph below shows Stipe Miocic’s earnings growth over his career, with major peaks in 2016 and 2018 due to high base salaries and PPV payouts from title fights. Sponsorship income remained stable but contributed less compared to other sources.
Miocic’s earnings increased significantly as he reached championship status, reflecting his rise in prominence and success in high-profile UFC fights.
Stipe Miocic Wife And Personal Life Of Former Heavyweight Title Holder
Miocic married Ryan Marie Carney on June 18, 2016, at the Divine Word Catholic Church in Kirtland, Ohio. They have three children together.
Career As A Firefighter
The heavyweight champion of the world, Stipe Miocic, is also a usual presence at a fire station in Valley View, Ohio. Here, he’s not the UFC champion but simply a firefighter and paramedic, gathering with colleagues around the kitchen table.
He’s been with the fire department for 14 years, long before his MMA career took off, making him an integral part of this community and a reminder that even champions find peace in ordinary routines.
Legacy of Stipe Miocic
Stipe Miocic stands as one of the most accomplished and respected heavyweights in UFC history. His career has been marked by a steady rise from modest beginnings to becoming a dominant champion, reflected not only in his earnings but in his status among fans and fighters alike. With a fighting style characterized by resilience, power, and technical skill, Miocic consistently delivered thrilling performances, culminating in major victories that secured his legacy.
Financially, Miocic’s career earnings tell a story of growth and success. His income surged with high-profile title fights, especially during peak years like 2016 and 2018, when PPV payouts, performance bonuses, and sponsorships solidified his financial success. These earnings peaks coincided with his most notable fights, underscoring the high demand to witness his bouts in the Octagon.
Outside the cage, Miocic has balanced his career with a fulfilling personal life, being a respected firefighter in Ohio. We wish him a happy retirement and hopefully he continues to inspire people with his commitment to firefighting.
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