After delivering title to Cleveland, Miocic hopes to end another curse

Cleveland native Stipe Miocic ended one supposed curse on Saturday night.

Now he has his sights set on putting a stop to another.

Miocic proudly and loudly claimed the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title for his hometown after knocking out Fabricio Werdum in the first round of the main event of UFC 198 in Curitiba, Brazil.

“Cleveland,” Miocic yelled into the microphone following his post-fight interview. “We’ve got a champion, baby.”

It has been a long time coming for the city that has gone the longest of any market with at least three major professional sports franchises without a title.

The Browns last won an NFL title in 1964. The Indians last captured a World Series championship in 1948.

While LeBron James hopes to help end the drought this year, the Cavaliers have never won an NBA title.

Somewhat ironically, ESPN debuted the film “Believeland” on Saturday night. The latest installment in the 30 for 30 series documents the city’s heartbreaking sports history.

Miocic, a lifelong fan of all three teams, was well aware of the movie’s release.

“It’s a documentary about how Cleveland sports don’t win championships,” he said unprompted at the post-fight news conference. “I put an end to it. I had to stop the curse for us and it went well tonight.”

The Browns, Cavaliers and Indians all sent well wishes to Miocic before the fight and congratulations afterward through their official Twitter accounts.

Several of the city’s stars did the same through their individual accounts, though James does not use social media during the NBA playoffs.

Now that Miocic has the title, he hopes to prove the belt is not cursed.

No heavyweight in UFC history has successfully defended the title more than twice. Miocic, however, believes he will break that trend.

“I think I train too hard,” he said. “I’m going to keep this belt for a long time. Cleveland (had) the curse, and I’m bringing a championship home to Cleveland. I’m going to keep this belt awhile. I promise you that.”

He’s also going to keep his job.

Miocic still works as a fireman and paramedic and he indicated he will remain employed even though he is now the heavyweight champion.

“I like helping people,” he said.

As for when he will return to his side job in the cage, there is no timetable. Much of it will probably depend on who gets the first shot at his belt.

Alistair Overeem made a strong case by winning his fourth straight fight with a second-round knockout of Andrei Arlovski earlier this month.

Werdum, who got knocked out by a right hand as he moved forward on a backpedaling Miocic, already started making his case for an immediate rematch on Saturday night.

“I don’t think he’s better than I am overall. I think I’m a complete fighter and I showed that in the fight,” Werdum said through a translator at the post-fight news conference. “The right word is reckless. I was a little bit reckless. I had my vision too open. I needed to focus a little bit more on him. Sometimes that happens. Your vision opens and in that moment he hit me and I didn’t see it. It landed on the chin.

“I think the most fair thing would be, I have six consecutive wins. I was the champion. I think the fair thing would be to get a rematch.”

UFC president Dana White did not travel to Brazil and was not available for comment on Werdum’s request, but it doesn’t appear to be a likely scenario.

If Overeem isn’t granted the fight, former champion Cain Velasquez may be the most logical candidate should he get by Travis Browne at UFC 200 on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena.

Miocic isn’t worried about his next opponent yet.

He’s just excited to go home and fully realize what he just accomplished.

“Tomorrow when I get home to Cleveland and show my mom the belt,” he said. “Maybe that’s when it’ll sink in.”

If the curse is truly broken, perhaps the Cavaliers can follow suit with an NBA title next month.

After Saturday night’s performance, Miocic should certainly find it easy to get tickets to watch it happen.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.