The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Miocic maneuvers through camp amid pandemic
Training venues include champion’s basement
Stipe Mioicic and Marcus Marinelli watched intently when the novel coronavirus forced a stay-at-home order by Gov. Mike DeWine in early March.
At that time, Miocic was less than two months out from being given the OK for contact by his doctor following surgery to repair a detached retina suffered in his second fight against Daniel Cormier.
Miocic’s gym — Strong Style in Independence — was closed and his coach Marcus Marinelli, owner of Strong Style, was cited by the Department of Health for a violation after he set up a few stations outside the facility for those looking for a workout.
It was rough waters for everyone in the early portions of 2020, and there are still challenges ahead nationwide.
But for Miocic, Marinelli and the rest of the UFC heavyweight champion’s camp, they’ve made due the best they
can with a super fight less than two weeks away.
“Personally, I wanted more time but I’m amazed at the progress we’ve made,” said Marinelli.
“Stipe’s in the best shape of his life.”
Miocic is lean at about 230 pounds with his trilogy title fight against Daniel Cormier fast approaching in Las Vegas on Aug. 15. The bout for the UFC heavyweight title and bragging rights between the two will be the main event at UFC 252 at the Apex, a UFC-specific facility that will feature no fans because of the pandemic.
No fans is no big deal for Miocic. Marinelli says he’s focused and ready amid any concerns or restrictions concerning COVID-19.
“All we are worried about it is winning this fight,” said Marinelli. “Nothing else.”
With that, Miocic’s coach said the race to Aug. 15 has been about as smooth as it could be amid the pandemic, and the results are there.
“He’s stronger now, more efficient, faster, more explosive,” said Marinelli.
“Everything. Better conditioned. He’s an amazing athlete. It’s amazing where he’s at right now. He’s ready to fight yesterday.”
Miocic told ESPN.com before UFC 252 was booked he hoped the trilogy bout would take place in the fall, adding that late summer would not allow him enough time to train. Those plans have been expedited with a fast track to Aug. 15.
There have been challenges along the way. Strong Style didn’t open until June 1, but the facility that’s half MMA-style with mats, boxing rings, heavy bags and a 24-foot octagon faced another issue. The facility could open, but contact was not allowed. An exemption was requested and granted by DeWine specific to Miocic
in mid-June. That’s when the team’s camp officially began.
To make due before then and extended after, Marinelli and his other coaches on staff gathered at Miocic’s home for training sessions in his pool and basement, where wrestling mats were installed.
“It’s been interesting trying to figure stuff out,” said Miocic during a recent interview at Strong Style. “We’re fine. We’ve done everything I’ve needed to get in.”
There’s been other factors — some that frustrated Miocic (19-3) and his camp.
First was the notion the champion was ducking Cormier (22-2). Second was the size of the octagon at the Apex — 25 feet as opposed to 30 feet, standard
size at most pay-per-view UFC events.
Obviously, Miocic wasn’t ducking Cormier, but the 25-foot octagon was an issue initially, but no longer.
“Nothing’s ever perfect,” said Miocic. “Of course you want a bigger cage. It is what it is and we’re preparing for it.”
Said Marinelli: “At first we were (upset), but now we’re figuring out how to make it work for us. We knew it wasn’t going to change so let’s figure out how it works for us.”
There’s been plenty of opportunities to work in the 24-foot octagon at Strong Style, so the feel of a smaller working area shouldn’t be an adjustment for Miocic. The issue of the cage’s size for Aug. 15 became an issue publicly when Cormier revealed his strategy for the bout — that being a steady dose of wrestling.
Cormier is a more accomplished wrestler than Miocic as an NCAA runner-up at Oklahoma State and Olympian, but Marinelli isn’t conceding anything. Especially when his 6-foot-4 fighter has a fiveinch height advantage on Cormier.
“It’s hard to wrestle someone like Stipe who’s very athletic and has a wrestling background,” said Marinelli. “It takes a lot of energy to wrestle, and if you don’t get it, it’s a lot of energy wasted. We expect to him wrestle but we’re ready for anything. We know his strengths and weaknesses and his pedigree.”
“Better conditioned. He’s an amazing athlete. It’s amazing where he’s at right now. He’s ready to fight yesterday.” — Marcus Marinelli, coach for Stipe Miocic