Updated

World heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic isn't wearing much this Independence Day, but he appears to have chosen his clothing items quite carefully, and hilariously. The big man donned a bandana, cropped top, short-jean shorts and, it appears, a thong - all with the American flag as a pattern theme.

"Happy 4th of July everyone," he wrote earlier today.

"Be safe and God bless."

It didn't take long for Miocic's fans and followers to "photo-shop" his image and grab it as comical inspiration. Others may have found his post disrespectful.

Stipe acknowledged but ultimately brushed those critics off. "Some folks were upset by my previous picture," he posted.

"To them I would like to say.....really? Oh well. Time to put in work. #StrongStyle #Training"

Miocic defends his title for the first time in his home town of Cleveland Sep. 10 at UFC 203 against Alistair Overeem. The fireman/fighter certainly has plenty of training to do in preparation for that bout, but it looks like he'll have plenty of fun along the way.