The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tests, quarantines, no fans part of week
Miocic faces lead-up to fight unlike any other in Las Vegas
As a fire fighter and paramedic in Northeast Ohio, Stipe Miocic said his firehouse has had a number of coronavirus calls.
As a part-time fire fighter and paramedic in Northeast Ohio, Stipe Miocic said his firehouse has had a number of novel coronavirus calls during the pandemic.
He’s even attended to a number of those calls. When he and his co-workers do make that call, they are properly suited. That includes gloves, goggles, N95 masks and other protective gear.
“We wear everything we need to be safe,” said Miocic during a recent interview at his Strong Style gym in Independence.
Miocic, though, has yet to take a COVID-19 test. That’s all about to change when Miocic
What: UFC 252 main event for Miocic’s heavyweight title belt When: Aug. 15
Where: Las Vegas, UFC apex facility
TV: Pay-per-view
Records: Miocic 19-3, Cormier 22-2
and his team arrive in Las Vegas on Aug. 10 as UFC 252 and his heavyweight championship fight vs. Daniel Cormier approaches.
COVID tests aren’t the only factors that will make this fight week unlike any other for Miocic. There’s also the fact he and Cormier and the rest of the fighters on the UFC 252 card at the Apex — UFC’s live events and production center — will mix it up without fans in attendance.
Miocic loves his fans, but he says none in attendance for his title fight won’t bother him a bit. More on that later.
First, here’s the COVID protocol breakdown for Miocic and his team upon arriving in Las Vegas:
• On Aug. 10, all will be tested then quarantine for two days until being tested again on Aug. 12.
• Then on Aug. 14, Miocic, Cormier and others will be tested for a third and final time.
• In between, there will be some down time, to say the least.
“I think I better bring a couple books,” said Miocic’s coach Marcus Marinelli with a laugh.
Miocic will need to get some work in during fight week for preparations for Aug. 15, so
“... The fans are great. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the fans. But this will be great. I’ll hear my coaches.” — Stipe Miocic, on fighting without a crowd
Marinelli said there are plans to install mats in Miocic’s hotel room to accommodate the champion.
These are interesting times for the UFC, but like most sporting events nationwide, the organization is conducting events during the pandemic without fans.
Strikes to the face or the body are heard clearly on TV broadcasts, as are instructions from each fighter’s corner.
That’s a far cry from the most electric crowd scene during Miocic’s reign as
champion. On Sept. 10, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena, Miocic made his first title defense in his hometown and the result was a first-round knockout of Alistair Overeem that had the fans in a frenzy. Miocic finished off the night by climbing and sitting on the top of the cage yelling “O-H ... I-O” along with the thousands cheering.
Looking back, Miocic admits that situation, while memorable and exciting, nearly took a toll on him.
“That was a little too much for me,” said Miocic. “I don’t mind no fans, honestly, but Cleveland got me more jacked than usual. The fans are great. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the fans. But this will be great. I’ll hear my coaches.”
Marinelli has experience at the Apex. Another of his fighters at Strong Style — Aleksa Camur — fought there during a UFC Contender Series bout in July 2019. Marinelli says no fans at the Apex for the fight vs. Cormier will have little bearing on the outcome.
“The way Stipe looks at it, he’s like, ‘Whatever,’ “said Marinelli.