Stipe Miocic, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history, has officially announced his retirement following a loss to Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 309.
In a high-stakes bout for the heavyweight championship, the 42-year-old Miocic faced a dominant Jones, who showcased his elite skills to retain the title. Miocic endured a brutal first round, narrowly surviving Jones’ relentless ground-and-pound. However, the end came in the third round when Jones delivered a spectacular spinning body kick that sealed the victory.
After the fight, UFC commentator Joe Rogan interviewed Miocic, who made his intentions clear.
“I’m done,” Miocic declared. “I’m hanging them up. I’m retiring. Thank God.”
The announcement was not entirely unexpected given Miocic’s recent inactivity. Before UFC 309, his last fight took place in March 2021, and his most recent win dates back to August 2020.
Reflecting on the Fight
Despite the outcome, Miocic offered no excuses for the loss. He acknowledged Jones’ skill and admitted that the finishing sequence was something he and his team had prepared for.
“It sucked, I lost,” Miocic said. “He’s really tough. I knew he was one of the best of all time. He came strong, hard kicks—I felt good. That spinning kick, we worked on it, but I just mis-blocked it, and it caught me in the ribs.”
A Legacy Cemented
Miocic retires with a professional record of 20-5 and leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in the UFC’s heavyweight division. He holds the records for the most consecutive successful heavyweight title defenses (3) and the most total defenses (4). Throughout his illustrious career, Miocic defeated some of the sport’s biggest names, including Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou, Junior dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum, Alistair Overeem, and Andrei Arlovski.
Though Miocic was not at his peak on Saturday night, his humility and sportsmanship were evident.
“I expected everything,” Miocic said. “I just didn’t do what I was supposed to do. Congratulations to him; he did what he was supposed to do and won. Hats off to him—I want nothing but the best for him.”
A Farewell to an Icon
With 14 years of professional fighting under his belt, Miocic leaves the sport as a revered figure and an inspiration to many. While his UFC career may have ended in defeat, his achievements and impact on the heavyweight division will resonate for years to come.