Is Stipe Miocic Still a Firefighter? How Much Does He Earn as a First Responder?

Stipe Miocic lives a double life. As he gears up for his fight against Jon Jones at UFC 309, the facts about his life outside the Octagon are again making headlines. But what is this big secret that he has been hiding? Well, to be fair, it's no secret at all since we are talking about Miocic's second profession outside the Octagon, that is, as a firefighter.

'Stone Cold' has held the UFC heavyweight title twice and defended it a total of four times to be named one of the greatest heavyweights in UFC history. However, Stipe's life isn't just about fights and championships. Away from the limelight that he earns in the UFC, Miocic leads a life as a dedicated firefighter and paramedic in Ohio. But since when has he been working as one, and is he still an active hero outside the UFC?

Why did Stipe Miocic become a full-time firefighter? Stipe Miocic's decision to pursue firefighting as a full-time profession comes from his desire to serve his community. Despite being one of the biggest fighters in the UFC (figuratively and literally), Miocic has always felt a strong sense of responsibility to work for his community, and he is doing so through his role as a firefighter. Miocic trained as a fireman and paramedic fresh after graduating from college, while also chasing his dream of being a world-champion mixed martial artist.

He became a full-time firefighter in 2022, after years of part-time labor in Oakwood and Valley View, Ohio. While MMA is his passion, 'Stone Cold' admits that firefighting provides him with a much deeper sense of purpose than fighting ever could. "I enjoy being there for someone who needs you. No matter if they're just a little sick or if they're in complete [cardiac] arrest or something. Doing your best to stabilize and transport them to the hospital... I enjoy the idea of being a firefighter and assisting people at any time of day or night. I like every moment of it, knowing that there is a chance I can help someone."

And trust us when we tell you that 'Stone Cold' is a man of true commitment. Despite being booked for high-profile fights, he continued to work shifts along with all his MMA training. Raised with strong values by his mother, Stipe Miocic firmly believes in hard work and earning one's achievements. He said, "My mom raised me right. I think just hard work pays off, and nothing's ever given until it's earned." This philosophy has guided him in both his fighting career and his work as a firefighter.

Stipe Miocic's firefighting career: Is he still working? Yes, Stipe Miocic is still very active in his firefighting role. Despite his demanding schedule as a top-level UFC fighter, 'Stone Cold' remains committed to his job at the Valley View Fire Department in Cleveland, Ohio. There, the 42-year-old balances a 12- to 24-hour shift at the firehouse while also continuing his MMA training. But will he be doing the same for the upcoming bout as well? Especially after even Jon Jones told him to "take time off from being a firefighter right now"?

Well, it looks like the answer is a 'No.' For his fight against Jon Jones, Miocic is on his days off, as he revealed in an interview a few months ago, "I have days off, vacation days, and stuff 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." So 'Stone Cold' is not taking a risk for his possible last shot at the UFC heavyweight championship. And with news of an MMA retirement ahead being hinted at by Miocic, he will have a lot of time to continue his path as a firefighter after the mega-event at the Madison Square Garden.

How does Stipe Miocic earn as a firefighter? His salary In addition to his earnings from the UFC, Stipe Miocic also draws a salary as a firefighter. The base salary for a firefighter in Cleveland, Ohio, is approximately $90,500 per year. So that is the minimum that he is earning as a community hero. But seeing that he has served there for over a decade, the figure surely can be much higher.