Most Interesting People 2015: Stipe Miocic

Why he's interesting: At 6-foot-4 and a rock-solid 245 pounds, Miocic is one of the top-ranked mixed martial arts fighters in the world, competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's heavyweight division with a nearly perfect 12-1 record. And if you call 911, Miocic might be the one who shows up to help. The North High School graduate and Cleveland State University alum still works his day job as a firefighter and EMT in Oakwood and Valley View.

Name game: Miocic was born to Croatian parents in Euclid who gave him a very traditional name. "It gets mispronounced at least a few times every day." In high school he went by the English version "Steve" to make it less confusing. If you ever run into him, the correct way to say it is: Stipe (STEE-pay) Miocic (me-OH-chich).

Fast start: His professional fighting career began in February 2010 at Grays Armory. "At first I was kind of iffy about fighting. I really wasn't excited about the idea of getting punched in the face, but I knew what I signed up for." His opponent didn't land a single shot as Miocic knocked him out in 17 seconds.

No quitting: Even if (or "when," as Miocic says) he wins the UFC heavyweight championship, he has no plans to quit his job as a firefighter. "I love it, and I love helping people. It's such a 180 to go from fighting, which is so intense, to going to the fire station where we bust each other's chops and you just feel like one of the guys."

Mum's the word: Miocic's fellow firefighters organize a watch party at a local bar for each of his fights. Friends and family members gather to cheer him on, with the exception of one person. "My mom will never watch me fight live. She supports me, but she doesn't want to watch her baby boy get beat up." His mom has nervously watched a few fights on video after the fact, but only if Miocic assures her that he didn't get hurt.

Batter up: Miocic attended Cleveland State, where he wrestled and played third base for the Vikings baseball team, drawing interest from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres. "I love playing baseball, but at that level everyone you're playing with is so good. When college ended and I didn't get offered a contract, I had to get on with my life and find another job."

Throw it out: His baseball background was a perfect fit when the Cleveland Indians invited Miocic to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a game last season. "I dressed up as Charlie Sheen's character Rick Vaughn from Major League with a cutoff jean coat with taped-up glasses. I think my pitch might have been a little bit outside, but at least I made it over the plate."

Training days: Miocic's coaches have a set up a training schedule that works for him. "I usually train in the morning, then if I work at the fire station in the afternoon I will go back and train again in the evening."