Miocic mashes homer at Tribe’s BP

CLEVELAND — Stipe Miocic knows a thing or two about delivering a knockout punch. As intimidating and fierce as the newly-crowned UFC heavyweight champion is in the octagon, though, stepping into a batting cage at a Major League stadium is a whole different animal.

“They’re not even swinging hard, and they crush them out of the park,” Miocic said with a laugh. “I’m swinging as hard as I can, and I barely get it out of the infield.”

Miocic needed just one round to knock out Fabricio Werdum on Saturday night to claim the UFC heavyweight crown. Before Tuesday’s game against the Reds, the imposing fighter required a handful of rounds to finally clear the 19-foot wall in left field at Progressive Field.

On his final swing of batting practice, Miocic pulled a pitch from bench coach Brad Mills high over left field. As the ball sailed over the outfield, pitcher Joba Chamberlain lifted his arms into the air in celebration. Once the ball crashed just over the wall, there were cheers from around the field, as Miocic’s good friend, catcher Yan Gomes, filmed it all with his phone.

After he stepped out of the cage, Miocic pumped his left fist and let out a primal shout.

On his last swing of the day, @stipemiocicufc goes yard. The Indians celebrate. pic.twitter.com/aQcVznpWF3

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) May 17, 2016

On his last swing of the day, @stipemiocicufc goes yard. The Indians celebrate. pic.twitter.com/aQcVznpWF3

“That was awesome,” Miocic said.

Miocic hails from …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com