PHOTOS: Stipe Miočić receives high state honour by Croatian president

by croatiaweek
June 4, 2025
in Sport

Stipe Miočić receives prestigious Croatian honour in Zagreb (Photo: Ured predsjednika Republike Hrvatske / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan)

After receiving his Croatian citizenship from the Prime Minister yesterday, Croatian-American mixed martial arts icon Stipe Miočić was awarded the Order of Danica Hrvatska with the image of Franjo Bučar by Croatian President Zoran Milanović today.

The honour was in recognition of his exceptional contribution to promoting the reputation and interests of Croatia in the United States.

The decoration, one of Croatia’s highest state honours in the field of sport, was presented to Miočić at a special ceremony held at the Office of the President in Zagreb.

The award celebrates Miočić’s long and distinguished sporting career, during which he consistently expressed pride in his Croatian heritage.

(Photo: Ured predsjednika Republike Hrvatske / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan)

“With great joy and satisfaction, I have the honour of presenting this to you,” said President Milanović. “Your active career may be over, but here in Croatia, as with all sports fans, we followed it with attention and pride.”

The President praised Miočić’s impressive achievements and thanked him for bringing Croatia into the international spotlight through his appearances, often proudly wearing the Croatian coat of arms and insignia.

(Photo: Ured predsjednika Republike Hrvatske / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan)

In a particularly emotional moment, President Milanović also addressed Miočić’s mother, Katherine, who returned to Croatia for the first time in 50 years to witness the ceremony.

“Your pride is immense – not just because of this award, but because of your son’s success,” the President noted, adding that it was a deeply personal and family achievement as well as a national one.

Clearly moved, Miočić responded with heartfelt thanks. “I’m not a man of many words, and right now I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” he said.

(Photo: Ured predsjednika Republike Hrvatske / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan)

“This is a surreal experience. I’m in an incredible country, and I can only say thank you, Mr President. I am grateful to you, to everyone – this means more than you can imagine.”

(Photo: Ured predsjednika Republike Hrvatske / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan)

Miočić is currently in Croatia to attend the Sunset Sports Festival in Zadar, where he is the main guest. The festival brings together prominent figures from sport, media, technology, and business.

Stipe Miočić receives prestigious Croatian honour in Zagreb (Photo: Ured predsjednika Republike Hrvatske / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan)

Joining Miočić at the ceremony were his wife Ryan Marie, their children Meelah Claire and Mateo Cruz, his mother Katherine, mother-in-law Jean Marie Carney, and his assistant Hayley Cohen.