I’m a fire fighter and UFC GOAT, but I haven’t ditched my day job for my UFC 309 clash with Jon Jones

1 month ago 8

STIPE MIOCIC has twice prepared to become the first man to legitimately beat Jon Jones.

And he’s done so all while being a FULL-TIME firefighter.

a fighter with reebok shorts on stands in a cage

Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic returns to the octagon this weekend[/caption]

two men are facing each other in front of a sign that says garden

Miocic, 42, challenges Jon Jones for the heavyweight title at UFC 309[/caption]

a fireman sits on the front of a yellow valleyview fire truck

Miocic has prepared for MMA legend Jones all while keeping up his day job as a firefighter[/caption]

a firefighter with the number 752 on his helmet

Miocic has been putting out fires in Ohio for the last 13 years[/caption]

The former two-time heavyweight champion has been extinguishing fires for the Oakwood and Valley View Fire Departments in Ohio for the last 13 years.

And remarkably, he’s managed to carve out a Hall of Fame career and become the greatest heavyweight in UFC history WITHOUT giving up his commitment to keeping his local community safe.

One, however, would assume he’d put fire-fighting on the back burner for his legacy fight with mixed martial arts legend Jon Jones at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden early tomorrow morning.

That, however, hasn’t been the case, with the veteran juggling training camps for the former pound-for-pound king with one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet.

When asked how he’s managed the juggling act, Miocic told TMZ last year: “My mom raised me right.

“I think just hard work pays off and nothing’s ever given until it’s earned.”

Miocic, however, has had to take time off his day job for fight week itself – just as he did last year.

He said: “I have days off, vacation days, and stuff.

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How to Watch UFC 309

The UFC makes it's annual visit to New York City on November 16 for another blockbuster pay-per-view card.

UFC 309 will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which provided some unforgettable moments since mixed martial arts was legalised in New York state in 2016.

Topping the bill at the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ is the eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and former titleholder Stipe Miocic.

And in the co-main event of the evening, Michael Chandler will throw down with former lightweight champion and fellow fan favourite Charles Oliveira.

UFC 309 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cards of what has been another massive year for MMA’s top promotion.

And fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from what promises to be an incredible night at MSG live on TNT Sports Box Office.

The penultimate pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.

UFC 309 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.

And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.

Watch UFC 309: Jones v Miocic exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 1am on Saturday 16 November.

For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice

“So I’m pretty lucky the fight’s in November ’cause a lot of guys don’t take off.

“So it’s easy for me to take time off that time of year.”

Miocic enters his clash of legends with Jones on the back of a THREE-AND-A-HALF-YEAR layoff following a crushing loss to Francis Ngannou.

The time off, coupled with him now being a weathered 42-year-old, has led many to write off the Cleveland clubber’s chances of becoming a three-time king of the heavyweight.

But the Croatian-American is confident of springing a massive upset at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena.’

He said: “It’s definitely a different ball game when it comes to heavyweight.

“You’ve got bigger guys, [and they] hit harder. A lot of things are different.

“We’ll see. I have some things up my sleeve, too, just like he does.”