The moment Stipe Miočić was handed his Croatian passport

Minister Ivan Šipić hands Stipe Miočić his passport in Zadar (Photo Ministarstvo demografije i useljeništva)

ZADAR, 8 June 2025 – UFC legend Stipe Miočić was officially granted Croatian citizenship earlier in the week and now he has received his physical passport. ,

Miočić was presented with passports for his entire family, in a special ceremony held at the Sunset Sport Festival in Zadar.

Croatia’s Minister of Demography and Immigration, Ivan Šipić, presented the passports on behalf of the Government of Croatia, in a symbolic gesture recognising Miočić’s enduring connection to his ancestral homeland.

The Sunset Sport Festival gathered leading figures from the world of sport, media and business. During the event, Minister Šipić expressed Croatia’s appreciation for Miočić’s role in proudly promoting the country on the global stage.

“We had the first half, now this is the second,” Šipić said, referencing Miočić’s continued support for Croatia throughout his career.

“Stipe Miočić is a UFC legend who never missed an opportunity to highlight his Croatian roots, especially during his heavyweight title defences. By granting citizenship and now passports to him and his family, we want to send a clear message to our diaspora: Croatia is a country where one can live and work with dignity, and for those who choose to return, our Ministry will be their first point of support. Stipe, thank you once again and welcome home.”

(Photo Ministarstvo demografije i useljeništva)

Miočić, who was born in Ohio to Croatian parents, thanked the government for the honour.

Miočić said during this trip that he loves the lifestyle in Croatia and is already hunting for a place. He says he will be back again next summer.

Earlier in the week, President Zoran Milanović awarded Miočić the Order of Danica Hrvatska with the image of Franjo Bučar. The decoration recognises his exceptional contribution to promoting Croatia’s image and interests in the United States.

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

Miočić is in Croatia with his wife Ryan Marie, their children Meelah Claire and Mateo Cruz, his mother Katherine—returning to Croatia for the first time in 50 years—his mother-in-law Jean Marie Carney, and assistant Hayley Cohen.

His late father was from Rtina near Zadar, while his mother hails from Cetingrad near Karlovac. Miočić proudly carries his heritage with two Croatian tattoos.