# UFC 203
**UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem** was a mixed martial arts event held by the [Ultimate Fighting Championship](https://www.edgepedia.org/ultimate-fighting-championship) on September 10, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, headlined by a heavyweight title bout in which champion [Stipe Miocic](https://www.edgepedia.org/stipe-miocic) defended his belt against [Alistair Overeem](https://www.edgepedia.org/alistair-overeem).[1](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-final-results-and-news) It was the first UFC event ever held in Cleveland and the promotion's first in Ohio since UFC 96 in Columbus in March 2009.[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/miocic-overeem-headlines-ufc-203-cleveland?language_content_entity=en) The card is also remembered for the UFC debut of former WWE star CM Punk, who was submitted in the first round by Mickey Gall.[3](https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2016/09/10/cm-punks-loss-to-mickey-gall-at-ufc-203-does-not-hurt-wwes-credibility/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date and venue | Saturday, September 10, 2016, Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio[1](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-final-results-and-news) |
| Main event | Stipe Miocic def. Alistair Overeem by TKO at 4:27 of round 1, retaining the UFC heavyweight championship[1](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-final-results-and-news) |
| Weigh-ins | Miocic 246 lb, Overeem 248.5 lb; Michael McBride missed weight and was fined a percentage of his purse[4](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-miocic-vs-overeem-weigh-results) |
| CM Punk debut | Lost to Mickey Gall by rear-naked choke in the first round; Punk reportedly earned $500,000, Gall $30,000 including a $15,000 win bonus[3](https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2016/09/10/cm-punks-loss-to-mickey-gall-at-ufc-203-does-not-hurt-wwes-credibility/) • [5](https://as.com/us/2018/02/09/masdeporte/1518192120_744429.html) • [6](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3094/1ebec4ce1504dd663b2de8da7ddb3d2a86b0.pdf) |
| Co-main event | Former champion Fabricio Werdum defeated Travis Browne[1](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-final-results-and-news) |
| Historical note | First UFC event in Cleveland; first in Ohio since UFC 96 (Columbus, March 2009)[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/miocic-overeem-headlines-ufc-203-cleveland?language_content_entity=en) |
## Background
Miocic, a native of Euclid in Northeast Ohio, had won the UFC heavyweight championship on May 14, 2016, at [UFC 198](https://www.edgepedia.org/ufc-198) in Curitiba, Brazil, knocking out Fabricio Werdum less than three minutes into their title bout. That victory gave [Cleveland](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland) its first major professional sports championship in 52 years, and UFC 203 was booked as his first title defense, in his home city.[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/miocic-overeem-headlines-ufc-203-cleveland?language_content_entity=en)
His opponent, the Netherlands' Alistair Overeem, was the No. 3-ranked contender, a former Strikeforce, DREAM, and K-1 champion riding a four-fight win streak that included back-to-back knockouts of former heavyweight titleholders Junior Dos Santos and [Andrei Arlovski](https://www.edgepedia.org/andrei-arlovski).[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/miocic-overeem-headlines-ufc-203-cleveland?language_content_entity=en) At the weigh-ins, Miocic came in at 246 pounds and Overeem at 248.5 pounds for the five-round title fight.[4](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-miocic-vs-overeem-weigh-results)
The card carried three broadcast tiers: a pay-per-view main card at 10 pm ET, four prelims on FS1 at 8 pm ET, and two early prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 7 pm ET.[4](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-miocic-vs-overeem-weigh-results)
## Main event: Miocic vs. Overeem
The title fight was a back-and-forth first round. Overeem drew first blood, rocking Miocic with a right hand as the champion pushed forward, then locked up a guillotine choke. Miocic escaped, and the two traded heavy blows until Miocic took Overeem down in a scramble and landed ground-and-pound strikes; the bout was waved off with Miocic bouncing Overeem's head off the mat, a TKO win at 4:27 of the opening round.[7](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/11/12876878/ufc-203-results-stipe-miocic-wins-thrilling-brawl-over-alistair) • [1](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-final-results-and-news)
**The tap controversy.** Immediately after the knockout, Overeem, interviewed in the Octagon by color commentator [Joe Rogan](https://www.edgepedia.org/joe-rogan), claimed Miocic had tapped to the guillotine choke. "I believe when I punched him and he went down, I got him in a guillotine choke, he tapped, the ref didn't see it," Overeem said. Replays showed no tap, and Overeem was booed by the Cleveland crowd as Rogan aggressively countered his claims.[7](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/11/12876878/ufc-203-results-stipe-miocic-wins-thrilling-brawl-over-alistair) • [8](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/12/6/13850298/alistair-overeem-on-controversial-ufc-203-interview-joe-rogan-put-me-on-the-spot) Miocic denied tapping at the post-fight press conference: "I don't know how I tapped out, I had two hands on his hands."[9](https://www.mmamania.com/2016/9/11/12877670/ufc-203-stipe-miocic-denies-tapping-to-alistiar-overeems-guillotine-choke-mma) The exchange became one of the most discussed post-fight interviews of 2016 and led to questions about whether the UFC should interview fighters immediately after knockout losses.[8](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/12/6/13850298/alistair-overeem-on-controversial-ufc-203-interview-joe-rogan-put-me-on-the-spot)
The win was Miocic's first title defense, his fourth straight victory, and his third consecutive first-round knockout, moving his record to 16-2; Overeem fell to 41-15 with one no contest, his four-fight win streak snapped.[10](https://abcnews.com/Sports/stipe-miocic-kos-alistair-overeem-remain-ufc-heavyweight/story?id=42029246) • [11](https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/alistair-overeem-overthinks-winning-maneuver-loses-to-stipe-miocic-at-ufc-203/) • [7](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/11/12876878/ufc-203-results-stipe-miocic-wins-thrilling-brawl-over-alistair) In December 2016, Overeem took a conciliatory view, crediting Miocic's escape and pressure: "he did an excellent job escaping guillotine and pressing that fight after that... kudos to Stipe Miocic, he's a champion for a reason."[8](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/12/6/13850298/alistair-overeem-on-controversial-ufc-203-interview-joe-rogan-put-me-on-the-spot)
## CM Punk's debut
The most anticipated non-title bout pitted Phillip Brooks, the former WWE champion known as [CM Punk](https://www.edgepedia.org/cm-punk), against [Mickey Gall](https://www.edgepedia.org/mickey-gall), a 24-year-old prospect with two professional fights whom UFC president [Dana White](https://www.edgepedia.org/dana-white) had discovered on the reality program *Lookin' for a Fight*.[12](https://pure.aber.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/26082335/Alcott_Tom.pdf) Punk had announced his UFC deal in 2014 and trained in mixed martial arts for roughly two years before the bout.[12](https://pure.aber.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/26082335/Alcott_Tom.pdf)
The fight was one-sided from the start. Punk charged forward with a single right hand, Gall ducked under it and scored a double-leg takedown, then passed to side control and took the back. Punk survived on the ground for about two minutes before Gall finished him with a rear-naked choke in the first round.[13](https://www.mmamania.com/2016/9/11/12873498/ufc-203-results-from-last-night-cm-punk-vs-mickey-gall-fight-review-analysis) • [3](https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2016/09/10/cm-punks-loss-to-mickey-gall-at-ufc-203-does-not-hurt-wwes-credibility/) Commentator Joe Rogan said on the broadcast, "this is what happens when a brown belt rolls with a white belt," noting Gall's jiu-jitsu credentials against a fighter new to the sport.[14](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/11/12880378/ufc-203-aftermath-cm-punk-and-lessons-for-new-ufc-ownership)
Pay figures underlined the gap between hype and experience: Punk reportedly earned $500,000 for the fight, while Gall was paid $30,000, including a $15,000 win bonus.[5](https://as.com/us/2018/02/09/masdeporte/1518192120_744429.html) • [6](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3094/1ebec4ce1504dd663b2de8da7ddb3d2a86b0.pdf) After the loss, Gall called out [Sage Northcutt](https://www.edgepedia.org/sage-northcutt) in his Octagon interview.[15](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/10/12876468/ufc-203-results-mickey-gall-clobbers-cm-punk-calls-out-sage-northcutt)
## Rest of the card
On the prelims, Jessica Andrade defeated Joanne Calderwood, and [Bethe Correia](https://www.edgepedia.org/bethe-correia) returned to winning ways against [Jessica Eye](https://www.edgepedia.org/jessica-eye).[1](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-final-results-and-news) The early prelims produced quick finishes: [Yancy Medeiros](https://www.edgepedia.org/yancy-medeiros) submitted Sean Spencer at 0:50 of round 2, and Drew Dober stopped Jason Gonzalez by KO/TKO at 1:46 of round 1.[16](https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-203)
## Place in UFC history
UFC 203 marked the UFC's first visit to Cleveland and came months after Miocic became the first fighter from Northeast Ohio to hold a UFC title.[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/miocic-overeem-headlines-ufc-203-cleveland?language_content_entity=en) • [17](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/22/2016-sports-cavaliers-championship-world-series) The event fell in the middle of a celebrated Cleveland sports year that also included the Cavaliers' NBA championship. The Overeem fight began Miocic's run of championship defenses that eventually reached a record-setting three consecutive defenses for the heavyweight division.[17](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/22/2016-sports-cavaliers-championship-world-series)
## References
1. [UFC 203 final results and news, UFC.com](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-final-results-and-news)
2. [Miocic-Overeem Headlines UFC 203 in Cleveland, UFC.com (May 25, 2016)](https://www.ufc.com/news/miocic-overeem-headlines-ufc-203-cleveland?language_content_entity=en)
3. [CM Punk's Loss To Mickey Gall At UFC 203 Does Not Hurt WWE's Credibility, Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2016/09/10/cm-punks-loss-to-mickey-gall-at-ufc-203-does-not-hurt-wwes-credibility/)
4. [UFC 203 Miocic vs Overeem Weigh-In Results, UFC.com](https://www.ufc.com.br/news/ufc-203-miocic-vs-overeem-weigh-results)
5. [CM Punk consigue su objetivo: volverá en el UFC 225, AS.com](https://as.com/us/2018/02/09/masdeporte/1518192120_744429.html)
6. [Innovative Marketing, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2017](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3094/1ebec4ce1504dd663b2de8da7ddb3d2a86b0.pdf)
7. [UFC 203 results: Stipe Miocic wins thrilling brawl over Alistair Overeem, MMA Fighting](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/11/12876878/ufc-203-results-stipe-miocic-wins-thrilling-brawl-over-alistair)
8. [Alistair Overeem on controversial UFC 203 interview: 'Joe Rogan put me on the spot', MMA Fighting](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/12/6/13850298/alistair-overeem-on-controversial-ufc-203-interview-joe-rogan-put-me-on-the-spot)
9. [Stipe Miocic denies tapping to Alistair Overeem's guillotine at UFC 203, MMA Mania](https://www.mmamania.com/2016/9/11/12877670/ufc-203-stipe-miocic-denies-tapping-to-alistiar-overeems-guillotine-choke-mma)
10. [Stipe Miocic KO's Alistair Overeem to remain UFC heavyweight champ, ABC News](https://abcnews.com/Sports/stipe-miocic-kos-alistair-overeem-remain-ufc-heavyweight/story?id=42029246)
11. [alistair overeem overthinks winning maneuver, loses to stipe miocic at ufc 203 | mma ufc | sports](https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/alistair-overeem-overthinks-winning-maneuver-loses-to-stipe-miocic-at-ufc-203/)
12. [Alcott, Tom (2017), authenticity in WWE and UFC, Aberystwyth University](https://pure.aber.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/26082335/Alcott_Tom.pdf)
13. [UFC 203 results: CM Punk vs Mickey Gall fight review, MMA Mania](https://www.mmamania.com/2016/9/11/12873498/ufc-203-results-from-last-night-cm-punk-vs-mickey-gall-fight-review-analysis)
14. [UFC 203 Aftermath: CM Punk and lessons for new UFC ownership, MMA Fighting](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/11/12880378/ufc-203-aftermath-cm-punk-and-lessons-for-new-ufc-ownership)
15. [UFC 203 results: Mickey Gall clobbers CM Punk, calls out Sage Northcutt, MMA Fighting](https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/10/12876468/ufc-203-results-mickey-gall-clobbers-cm-punk-calls-out-sage-northcutt)
16. [UFC 203 event page, UFC.com](https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-203)
17. [2016 was Cleveland's most unforgettable sports year, Axios Cleveland](https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/22/2016-sports-cavaliers-championship-world-series)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Individual sports and outdoor recreation › Combat sports and professional wrestling › Mixed martial arts › UFC numbered events 101–200*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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