- UFC. Jon Jones pressures Dana White to face Alex Pereira and threatens UFC retirement
- UFC. The serious injuries Stipe Miocic could suffer from Jon Jones' spinning kick
Stipe Miocic, once celebrated as one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history, concluded his UFC career in bittersweet fashion after a devastating loss to Jon Jones at UFC 309.
A thunderous spinning back kick from Jones in the third round marked the end of Miocic's storied run in the octagon.
Brendan Schaub: Stipe Miocic heart wasn't in it
The fight's result wasn't unexpected, with Jones entering as a heavy favorite.
However, the abruptness of Miocic's retirement announcement caught fans off guard.
Post-fight, Miocic's words were brief but revealing: "I'm done, I'm hanging 'em up. I'm not returning, thank God!"
His candidness left fans and analysts reflecting on his journey, including former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub, who speculated that Miocic's heart wasn't in the fight long before stepping into the cage.
"I don't think Stipe really wanted to do this," Schaub remarked on his podcast.
"He knows his body isn't what it used to be. He's just lucky to move his foot at all at this point."
Schaub added that Miocic seemed relieved to leave the sport, saying, "He [was basically saying], 'Thank God this bulls**t's over. I want to go back, fight fires, raise my kids.'"
Miocic made history in UFC
Despite this somber farewell, Miocic's legacy remains untarnished.
A two-time UFC heavyweight champion, he was the first fighter in the division's history to successfully defend the belt three consecutive times.
From his trilogy with Daniel Cormier to his victories over legends like Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem, Miocic's career is packed with highlights.
His 2018 win against Francis Ngannou also solidified his status as one of the most well-rounded heavyweights of all time.
Off the octagon, Miocic's clashes with UFC President Dana White added complexity to his career.
From disputes over pay to feeling undervalued as a champion, Miocic's relationship with the UFC brass mirrored that of Schaub's own conflicts after retirement.
As Miocic transitions to life outside MMA, fans will him not just for his achievements but also for his humility.
Reflecting on his career, Miocic shared on Instagram, "I started this journey fighting in local bowling alleys & ended it selling out Madison Square Garden. It truly doesn't get better than that."
While Miocic's departure leaves a void in the division, the focus now shifts to Jon Jones, whose future remains uncertain amid calls for a showdown with interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.