Stipe Miocic to defend title vs. Overeem at UFC 203 in Cleveland

Stipe-Miocic

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic seen here celebrating a knockout win. (John Locher/AP)

Sports fans in Cleveland are riding high right now and it’s not only because the Cavaliers are one win away from returning to the NBA Finals.

The UFC announced Wednesday night the city will host its first event as newly crowned heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic looks to defend his title against Alistair Overeem Sept. 10 at Quicken Loans Arena.

Miocic (15-2) was born and raised in the Cleveland area and has been embraced by the community and local sports teams after he knocked out Fabricio Werdum with a swift counter right hook in front of 45,000 fans in Curitiba, Brazil earlier this month at UFC 198 to become champ.

Cleveland Cavaliers on Twitter

Cleveland Browns on Twitter

Overeem (41–14, 1 NC) has won four straight and is coming off back-to-back knockout victories over former champs Andrei Arlovski and Junior dos Santos. The Dutchman is the No. 3-ranked heavyweight contender behind Werdum and Cain Velasquez.

No other fights have been added to the UFC 203 card at this time.

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