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CLEVELAND -- If not for the likable local hero who dethroned a champion a few months ago, Clevelands sports title drought might not be over.Stipe Miocic beat LeBron James to the punch.In May, Miocic went to Brazil and knocked out Fabricio Werdum in the first round to capture the UFC heavyweight title. The victory triggered a run of championships for Cleveland as the AHLs Lake Erie Monsters won the Calder Cup and James led the Cavaliers to an historic comeback over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, ending a title dearth stretching to 1964.For Miocic, a Cleveland native who works as a fire fighter and paramedic, starting the string of titles for his hometown was special.Cleveland needed it, he said. For 52 years, man, we had nothing. Its something to be proud of. You can say I broke or I didnt break it, I really dont care. Im just happy we have something to be proud of. Nothing is better than that.Miocic will now become the first Cleveland champion to defend a title as hell face Alistair Overeem in the main event Saturday night in UFC 203, which will take place in sold out Quicken Loans Arena, giving the 34-year-old Miocic a distinct home-octagon advantage.Also on the card is the long-awaited UFC debut of former pro wrestling superstar CM Punk, who at 37 is attempting a transition few would dare attempt. Punk will take on Mickey Gall, a rising 24-year-old welterweight who wanted to fight Punk and will now get his chance. Werdum gets back in action as well for the first time since losing to Miocic against heavyweight Travis Browne, who had some salty words for his opponent during Thursdays news conference.Miocic has gotten a sampling this week of what hell experience Saturday. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounders workouts have drawn big crowds and hundreds of fans were at the news conference, with many of them shouting out encouragement to Miocic, who responded with a quick smile and clenched fist. Its been a whirlwind summer for Miocic, who in addition to taking batting practice with the Cleveland Indians, riding in the Cavs downtown parade attended by nearly one million people, got married.His engagement this weekend with Overeem has some parallels to his fight against Werdum.In front of 45,000 of his countrymen, Werdum came out aggressively and was off balance as he chased after Miocic, who landed a right-handed punch to the Brazilians chin. Werdum may have been slightly overconfident on his home turf, and he paid for it.Miocic promises he wont make the same mistake.It doesnt matter where I fight, he said. It could be Cleveland. It could be Brazil again. Im here for business. Ill walk into the octagon and all Ill think about is me and Alistair, and thats all I care about. No one else is getting in there with us, so Im going to come out the winner and thats the way its going to be.Overeem has spent the past few days saying hes hungrier than Clevelands champ and feels Miocic may be distracted by being home. A former kickboxing champion, Overeem says fighting on familiar ground can be helpful -- and a detriment.It does give you a little extra boost, the Dutchman said. It does give you a little more shivers. On the other hand, theres the extra appearances youve got to do and everyone wants a piece of you. It depends on how you handle it. I think with my 86 fights and my 22 years of training, Ive been able to handle it very well. Its going to be curious how Stipe handles it. Stipe seems very professional, but well see how he handles it on Saturday.Overeem has been targeted by some verbal taunts from Miocic supporters, who cant fathom the idea of him winning in Cleveland. Overeem has learned to like the city and even attended the Cavs victory parade, which he described as madness.It was nice to see a very proud state finally accomplishment championships, he said, adding a threat. I almost feel a little sad that I will be taking something away from them.Not if Miocic can help it. Hes helped change Cleveland, which has spent the summer celebrating like never before.Now were a city of champions, he said, and we plan on keeping it that way for a long time.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Jersey . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. James Worthy Lakers Jersey . 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In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month.Hibernian midfielder Dylan McGeouch will return to the squad for Sundays Scottish Championship clash at home to Alloa, live on Sky Sports.McGeouch missed the scoreless draw at Livingston and the Scottish Cup replay victory over Hearts in midweek because of a groin complaint.But Hibs manager Alan Stubbs is without the suspended Lewis Stevenson for the Sky Live encounter at Easter Road. Fraser Fyvie is also absent for the home side as he recovers from a knee injury.Stubbs said: Were just going from game to game right now. Were not doing an awful lot in training because we cant with the amount of minutes the guys are racking up. After holding Rangers to a draw last time out, Jack Ross Alloa travel to Hibernian But I wouldnt want it any other way. Were in the League Cup final, the Scottish Cup quarter-final and pushing for promotion. They are all priorities. The players are rising to the challenge but they will have to rise even further if we are to be successful. Watch the Hibs fans singing Sunshine on Leith after their midweek cup win over rivals Hearts Alloa include Liam Caddis in their squad after the former St Johnstone midfielder agreed a contract until the end of the season.dddddddddddd.The Wasps are again without the injured Iain Flannigan (back) and Michael Chopra (ankle) as they look to build on last weekends draw with Rangers. Alex McLeish looks at the promotion race between Rangers and Hibernian Dont miss Hibernian v Alloa, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 1pm on Sunday. ' ' '