TIFFIN, Ohio - When Charlie Cleveland arrived at Tiffin University in the fall of 2017, his future seemed mapped out.
 
A standout defensive lineman from East Chicago, Indiana, Cleveland was looking for an opportunity to develop both on and off the football field while pursuing a dream shared by countless college athletes: reaching the NFL. Coming from a challenging upbringing, Tiffin provided more than just a chance to continue his football career. It gave him a place to grow, learn, and chart a path toward the future.
 
With the Dragons, Cleveland developed into one of the program's most impactful defensive players in program history. He appeared in 47 games with 44 starts, amassing 227 tackles, including 51.5 tackles for loss and 28.5 sacks, while adding three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His impact helped fuel one of the program's most successful eras, highlighted by an eight-win campaign in 2019.
 
"Charlie's hard work, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence have carried him through every challenge and earned him every accolade along the way," said Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Director of Athletics Kelly Daniel. "He has never been one to settle, never stopped pushing, and never lost sight of his ultimate goal. That relentless drive is what has made Charlie who he is today, and it will continue to carry him forward."
 
Daniel added, "Charlie has left his mark as a Dragon alum, and now he has the opportunity to make his mark in the ring. We couldn't be prouder of the journey that has brought him to this moment and couldn't be more excited to see where his determination takes him next. Dragon Nation will be watching, cheering loudly, and standing proudly behind Charlie every step of the way."
 
When football ended, Cleveland found himself searching for what came next.
 
"I thought I was going to go to the NFL," Cleveland said. "But when that fell through, I just went back in my life and thought about what I liked and who I was other than a football player."
 
The answer led him somewhere he never expected: mixed martial arts.
 
Now, years after hanging up his shoulder pads, the Tiffin alum is preparing to compete during the 10th season of Dana White's Contender Series, one of the premier showcases for aspiring UFC fighters. While the stage may be different, Cleveland credits much of his success to the lessons, habits, and relationships he developed during his time as a Dragon.
 
A product of Central High School in the Detroit area, Cleveland was a standout multi-sport athlete who competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. While he found success across several sports, football ultimately emerged as his calling. He earned First Team All-State honors and garnered All-Area recognition in Detroit before continuing his career at Tiffin University.
 
"Football was the sport I was best at," Cleveland said. "That's what really stood out to me as something I could take into my future."
 
Following graduation with a degree in Criminalistics, Cleveland initially gravitated toward boxing before a coach suggested he try MMA.
 
"I just took his advice," Cleveland said. "And it's been onward and upward ever since."
 
As Cleveland's MMA career began to take shape, he found himself relying on many of the same techniques that helped him thrive on the defensive line at Tiffin. The similarities between battling offensive linemen and competing in the cage became apparent almost immediately.
 
"Being a defensive lineman, it's a lot of push and pull. It's a lot of getting off at an angle and hand fighting," Cleveland said." "All the strength and conditioning coaches at TU gave me workouts that I can honestly say that I still do to this day."
 
Now, Cleveland is preparing for arguably the biggest fight of his MMA career as he takes on Gabriel Lourenço (7-1) in a heavyweight bout on Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. A dominant or entertaining performance could earn the former Dragon a UFC contract and the opportunity to compete on the sport's biggest stage. The fight will take place this on the upcoming episode of Dana White's Contender Series, the iconic talent-discovery show.
 
What began as a dream of playing professional football ultimately led him down an entirely different path, but one that has taken him to the doorstep of mixed martial arts' biggest stage. No matter what happens against Gabriel Lourenço, Cleveland remains grateful for the place that helped lay the foundation for his journey.
 
"Tiffin University gave me that place to grow and heal and realize how the world works. It turned me into the man I am today."