UFC 203 Pre-Fight Press Conference Featuring CM Punk

Stipe Miocic scored a knockout win over Alistair Overeem to retain the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 203 on Saturday.

He’ll have to do it in very hostile territory.

The event will take place at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio and the Q is already sold out. Miocic is listed at odds of -145 for a victory in the five-round bout, with Overeem rating a good chance at +115.

The pressure seems to be firmly on the shoulders of Miocic, who is defending in his hometown after breaking the Cleveland sporting curse by becoming the Heavyweight Champion. This isn’t like that.

Miocic won the belt at UFC 198, when he defeated Fabricio Werdum. Miocic has admittedly enjoyed his celebrity status in his hometown. “I will be back, believe it or not”, Punk said. “It’s all about how you deal with that”.

The two then had a back and forth battle on the feet that went the full distance though the Brazilian landed a significant amount more strikes than the American and looked by far the dominant of the two.

At UFC 200 he was the standout performer after dismantling Travis Browne and given the uninspired performance from Fabricio Werdum against the same man on Sunday, it’s only logical he is next in line for Miocic’s belt.

“I’m still the heavyweight champion of the world”. His transition to the UFC wasn’t easy.

Three other fights are set for the main UFC 203 card.

Meanwhile, since losing to Werdum, Browne went on to lose to Velasquez and Andrei Arlovski. It truly is the elite and it’s the only one missing for me. “It was a hell of a climb, I didn’t get to the summit tonight but it doesn’t mean I’m going to give up it doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere, it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop”. We’ve beat six UFC champions along the way. You could say I broke (the curse) or I didn’t break it – I really don’t care. “He’s going to go to sleep”, said Miocic. “I don’t think it’s wise nor fair”. “I’ve been doing what I’m supposed to do”. So if you’re a UFC fan, or looking to watch a fight for the first time, we’ve got all the info you need to know. I’ve brought guys to spar with me. I’m here for business. For as much pain and agony as the city of Cleveland has endured, seeming to nearly be begging for something positive to happen, Miocic asked for a shot, got his shot and delivered.

“The “Q” is going to be insane”.