While visiting Zadar for the Sunset Sports Festival, Sofascore sat down with Stipe Miočić, widely recognized as the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time and the first non-football guest of our YouTube series A Guest and a Half. In this special episode, Stipe opened up about his Croatian roots, his emotional return with family, life after retirement, unforgettable UFC battles, and even rated himself across classic Sofascore-style categories:
Sofascore: Hello, Sofascore friends. While we were in Croatia, we sat down with a very special guest – the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time, Stipe Miočić. A man who still holds some of the most iconic UFC records. He retired in 2024, but we took the chance to remind him of a few of his biggest moments.
Sofascore: Stipe, it’s a great pleasure – in fact, an honor – to have you here with us. Welcome to this special episode of the Sofascore YouTube series A Guest and a Half, where we’ve already spoken with Joško Gvardiol, Lukas Podolski, true football legends like Peter Schmeichel and Alessandro Costacurta, and even the world’s most famous football journalist, Fabrizio Romano. But now, we’re proud to welcome our first non football guest. Welcome.
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Miočić: Thank you. I’m very, very happy and I feel privileged. Thank you for having me.
Coming Home to Croatia
Sofascore: Obviously, you’re widely considered the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time. But personally – you’re in Croatia now, and your father was born not far from where we’re sitting. Is it emotional to be here with your family?
Miočić: Yes. I don’t usually get emotional – well, not in a bad way. I mean, I do, but I’m not one for crying. It’s just surreal. I finally got my family’s citizenship done – we’re dual citizens now. My kids don’t get it. They’re just like, “Let’s go to the kids’ park!” But my wife was really happy. And honestly, thank God for her. She set it all up for me. I’d wanted to do it for a long time, but always got distracted. She finally said, “You’re done. I’m doing it.” She’s awesome.
It’s been amazing. Just showing my family how beautiful this country is, how kind the people are. My daughter was like, “These people are so nice!” My son just runs around – he doesn’t care.
And my mom is here too. She hasn’t been back since she moved to the States – over 50 years. She’s emotional, and she’s not someone who usually gets emotional. I guess I get that from her. But yeah, we still have over a week left and we’re excited.
Sofascore: Was seeing her that emotional one of the toughest things you’ve experienced since retiring?
Miočić: Yeah. That or my wife beating me up – one of the two!
No, really, it was great seeing her so happy. I’d text her before we came and she’d be like, “I gotta start packing. I can’t believe this is happening.”
She wanted to come for years. We all did. But it was always something – my daughter was too young, then my son was born, then COVID. It was just a wave of things we couldn’t control. But now we’re finally here.
Sofascore: All the best things in life are worth waiting for, right?
Miočić: Yes. I’m a patient guy. I don’t mind waiting.
From the Octagon to the Sunset Sports Festival
Sofascore: You’re also a special guest here at the Sunset Sports Festival. Can you share your experience, especially about last night – the big gala for the Sofascore Player of the Season awards?
Miočić: Yeah, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew about Sofascore, but I didn’t know the scale of the event. It was awesome. The opening ceremony was really well done. It’s cool that CBS Sports is part of it too – that’s pretty gnarly.
You can see how much it’s growing. Last year was 600 people, this year over 1,000. It just keeps getting bigger. And the resort – It’s amazing. There’s a kids’ hotel, regular hotel, villas – so much to do. And then you have the festival at night. It’s a lot, but it’s worth it.
And Damjan and Pete – those two go above and beyond. I’m lucky to call them friends.
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Sofascore: Was it also amazing to see video messages from Luka Modrić, and to catch up live with Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards? And the hosts – Kate Scott and Peter Schmeichel?
Miočić: Yeah! It was crazy. I’m sitting there watching and they’re talking about La Liga and players of the game and I’m like, “This is amazing.” I looked at my wife and said, “Do you understand this?”
Then they showed highlights – the detail, the precision. It was just such a great show.
And that kid – what’s his name – Raphinha? Seventeen years old.
Sofascore: No, that’s Lamine Yamal.
Miočić: Like, how do you do that? At 17 I was trying to make the baseball team. This guy’s playing world football. It’s insane.
Sofascore: Do you follow football at all?
Miočić: A little here and there. More the national team. But we do watch some MLS. Took our kids to a game – Messi was playing in Columbus. That was fun, the kids loved it.
Sofascore: Did you meet Messi?
Miočić: No, no, no. He just walked by. I saw him. But no, I didn’t meet him.
We have the Columbus Crew back home – they’re usually good. I try to watch when I can, but most of the time it’s kids’ shows for me.
Life After the UFC
Sofascore: Let’s talk a bit about retirement. How are you feeling since retiring in late 2024?
Miočić: I’m good. Still butt hurt I lost, but I’ll get over it. Thank God I’ve got my wife and kids – they take care of me. I’ve got an amazing family. And hey, I don’t get punched in the face anymore. That’s nice. Now I just lift weights and try to get bigger.
Sofascore: Do you have any regrets?
Miočić: Every loss. That’s the only regret. But you can’t get them back. Still – what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Sofascore: What was your toughest fight?
Miočić: My first fight with JDS, Junior Dos Santos. Five rounds, just beating each other up. That was not fun.
Between the fourth and fifth round, I’m sitting there with black-and-blue eyes and a cut in my mouth. I had to get stitches. I couldn’t even hear my coach. I was just thinking, “Why do I do this? Who fights for 25 minutes?”
Then I stood up and the whole arena screamed. I got goosebumps. That’s why we do it. And I loved every second.
Sofascore: Do you miss it?
Miočić: Yes and no. I don’t miss getting hit in the face. But I miss the fans, the electricity. People don’t get it until they go to a fight. Then they’re like, “Oh my God, this is amazing!” But I’m like, “No, no, you don’t want to fight.”
But the sport’s evolved so much. And it’s the fans that make it great.
Sofascore: Are you still working as a firefighter?
Miočić: Yes. I took some time off to come here, but yeah, I’m still active. I’ve got great guys I work with. I’m lucky.
Sofascore: Ever been in a real fire?
Miočić: Yeah, a few. We mostly get medical calls, but we do have fires. That’s why we train constantly – so we’re always ready.
Sofascore: Ever had one of those “not funny in the moment” moments?
Miočić: Oh, it’s never funny at the moment. But yeah, we’ve got captains and lieutenants giving orders. Everyone has a role – hoses, ladders, ventilation. If it’s a big fire, other cities send crews. It’s a big team effort.
Sofascore: One random question – how do people react when they realize it’s you showing up?
Miočić: Not as wild as you’d think. When I got hired at my new station, they were like, “Oh hey.” I’m like, “Hey.” They ask for a picture, and I’m like, “I’m working right now!”
What’s funny is older people – like 70 or 80 – know exactly who I am. It’s great. One day this will all be over, so I enjoy it while I can.
Rating the Greatest
Sofascore: Let’s move on to the next segment. This part of the interview is called Rate Yourself. We’re going to ask you to rate yourself in different MMA categories on the classic Sofascore scale – from 3 to 10. Ready?
Miočić: Okay. Tap to start!
Sofascore: First up – Striking.
Miočić: 8.4. No wait… I’ve got fat fingers. Let’s say 8.5.
Sofascore: Alright, Wrestling?
Miočić: I’ll go 9. Yeah, 9.
Sofascore: Cardio?
Miočić: I think I have good cardio. I’ll go 9.5.
Sofascore: Very strong. Now, Ground Control?
Miočić: I’ll go 7.5.
Sofascore: Ground and Pound?
Miočić: Definitely 8. No – 8.5.
Sofascore: And finally – Chin?
Miočić: When I was younger – 10. Now? I’ll go 8.5. Actually no, come on, give me a 9. I’ve got a better chin than that.
Sofascore: So, your overall Sofascore rating is… 8.67.
Miočić: Boom. Like Peter Schmeichel! Let’s go!
Sofascore: Let’s check your position on the leaderboard. Compared to other guests?
Miočić: I think I did good. I’m happy with that. That’s a good picture too.
Sofascore: We’re definitely happy to have you here. And that photo’s from right before your title win in Brazil, right?
Miočić: Yeah. That was when I fought for the title against Werdum.
Sofascore: Alright. Now it’s time for a segment we call Synonyms. Same categories, but this time you name the best fighter ever in each of those areas.
Let’s start with Striking.
Miočić: That’s a good one. Tough one. You could say GSP, Georges St-Pierre – very smart with it. But also Max Holloway. I’ll go with GSP.
Sofascore: Wrestling?
Miočić: DC. Daniel Cormier. Nasty wrestler.
Sofascore: Cardio?
Miočić: Mighty Mouse. Demetrious Johnson. That kid never stopped. Made me tired just watching him.
Sofascore: Ground Control?
Miočić: It’s on the tip of my tongue… I’m looking right at him in my head… Why can’t I think of it?
Okay – Renzo Gracie. One of the best black belts of all time.
Sofascore: Ground and Pound?
Miočić: Randy Couture. Can’t go wrong with Randy.
Sofascore: And finally – Chin?
Miočić: Mark Hunt. I knew that one right away. My hands still hurt. That guy took everything. Couldn’t knock him out. Tough as nails.
Fights, Legends, and Legacy
Sofascore: Let’s go through your title fights. Just a few words on each.
Starting with Werdum?
Miočić: Amazing. First title fight. In Brazil. 45,000 people – and 44,985 of them were Portuguese-speaking fans yelling that I was going to die.
I had 15 family members there. I won and suddenly… silence. But it was so much fun. Great experience.
Sofascore: Overeem?
Miočić: That was in Cleveland. Surreal. I don’t usually get emotional before fights, but walking out and hearing them scream my name… I couldn’t breathe the first few minutes. Then he hit me and put me down.
That woke me up. Best thing that could’ve happened.
Sofascore: Junior dos Santos – second fight?
Miočić: Rough one. I was doing well, tracking him, and then he started kicking my shin. Totally normal, but it opened up and I think he broke my fibula. I couldn’t walk.
So I went full speed to finish it fast.
Sofascore: Ngannou – first fight?
Miočić: Long 25 minutes. Fun, but long. He hit hard. Usually by the fifth round guys get tired, but not him. He was still so strong.
I remember thinking, “Get off me, you’re too strong!” Like I was a little kid.
A lot of people thought I’d lose, but I dominated him. Thank God.
Sofascore: Daniel Cormier – trilogy?
Miočić: First one sucked. That loss killed me. But then my daughter was born after that – it helped me reset.
I was so focused on the loss, and she brought me back.
Second fight – I fought like garbage at first. I was like, “Do I even know how to fight?”
Then I saw him wince when I hit the body. I tried it again. It worked.
By the fourth round, I knew what to do. Hit him, spun, landed the shot, and that was it.
Third fight – that was fun too. But weird. It was at the Apex, really quiet. You could hear everything. But I was happy to win that one.
Sofascore: Ngannou – second time?
Miočić: That sucked. I hit him hard and stunned him for a second. I waited just a little too long, went in, and he caught me with a nasty hook.
Put me out. Finished me. I don’t remember much after that.
Sofascore: Jon Jones?
Miočić: I felt good in that fight. Getting a little tired – but he was too.
We were going back and forth. Then he hit me with a spinning kick. I trained for that exact move. I was blocking it in camp all the time – just missed it by an inch.
He’s good. Really good. But he has weaknesses. I think I exposed a few.
I hit him hard, and he started running. He’s beatable, but yeah – he’s good.
Sofascore: Do you ever watch your fights?
Miočić: No. I mean, I’ll watch the ones I win. But in general – no.
If my kids ask me, I’ll watch with them. But I don’t even watch UFC in general.
Too much going on. I’d rather do sports with my kids, spend time with them. That’s what matters.
Sofascore: So you don’t really follow active fighters?
Miočić: Not really. If my friends are fighting, I’ll tune in. Or if it’s a big grudge match – yeah, maybe. Chris Weidman’s doing great. He’s doing grappling now. But otherwise, not too much.
Sofascore: We’re almost at the end. Can you give us your Top 5 Fighters of All Time?
Miočić: Cro Cop – always in there.
Fedor – love his style.
GSP.
Jon Jones.
And it changes all the time, but I’ll go with Demetrious Johnson. That guy was unreal. The way he switched styles mid-fight – unbelievable.
Sofascore: Can I sneak one more name into that list? Stipe Miočić
Miočić:
Ah, he’s alright, but he’s fake.
(Kidding.) But seriously – thank you.
Sofascore: Last question – any message for your fans around the world?
Miočić: Just thank you. For always being there for me. For your support. For having my back – through the good and the bad.
I’m not going anywhere. I’m still around.
Might not be getting punched in the face anymore, but I’ll be putting out funny content.
I appreciate all of you. Thank you – it means the world.
Sofascore: And it means a lot to us that you’re here with us. Thank you, Stipe.
Miočić: Thank you so much. Let’s get that Sofascore up!