The new UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will be making his first title defense in his hometown Cleveland. Born and raised in the Cleveland area and wrestling for Cleveland State University, Miocic is regarded as Cleveland's first champion since 1964. He declared the championship was for Cleveland after defeating Fabrico Werdum at UFC 198. The Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers congratulated Miocic after he won the title. The bout also marks the first time a Cleveland champion defends their title since 1965.
He will face perennial heavyweight title contender Alistair Overeem. Coming off of a five fight winning streak, Overeem will be competing in his first UFC title bout. Overeem has beat former UFC champions and beat the man Miocic beat for the title, Fabrício Werdum in Strikeforce.
Wedum is also on the main card, trying to earn his way back to a championship bout. He will face Travis Browne who Werdum beat via decision in 2014. Browne is a replacement for the injured Ben Rothwell.
CM Punk will make his debut on UFC 203. Eighteen months after announcing his signing to the UFC, CM Punk will step into The Octagon against Mickey Gall. CM Punk joined the UFC as a personal goal and a way to test himself. He dealt with injury on the way to The Octagon and had this fight postponed twice.
Fightful.com will have full live coverage and a post-show podcast.
Fight Pass Preliminary Card 6:30pm:
Welterweight- Yancy Medeiros vs Sean Spencer
Fox Sports 1 Preliminary, Card 8pm:
Lightweight- Drew Dober vs Jason Gonzalez
Middleweight- Caio Magalhães vs Brad Tavares
Lightweight- Nik Lentz vs Michael McBride
Bantamweight- Jessica Eye vs Bethe Correia
Pay-Per-Veiw Main Card, 10pm:
Strawweight- Jéssica Andrade vs Joanne Calderwood
Bantamweight- Urijah Faber vs Jimmie Rivera
Welterweight- CM Punk vs Mickey Gall
Heavyweight- Fabrício Werdum vs Travis Browne
Heavyweight Championship- Stipe Miocic (C) vs Alistair Overeem
