Stipe Miocic is strolling into the sundown after his UFC 309 loss to Jon Jones.
Miocic, 42, failed in his bid to grow to be simply the second three-time champion in UFC historical past when he succumbed to a third-round TKO loss to reining heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones, confirming to Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview quickly afterwards that he was “completed.”
It was a considerably anti-climactic announcement from one of many UFC’s most revered fighters who had been topic to a lot retirement hypothesis within the lead-in to the battle with Jones — however the Cleveland, Ohio native has elaborated on his determination to lastly grasp up the 4oz gloves with a prolonged assertion printed to social media.
“Let me begin this publish by saying I’m good,” Miocic wrote. “Been by so much worse. I hope all people loved the present on Saturday. What an unimaginable means exit! I began this journey combating in native bowling alleys & ended it promoting out Madison Sq. Backyard. It actually doesn’t get batter than that.
“Sorry I don’t get the W, however you possibly can’t get ’em all,” he added. “Generally it’s not your evening, that’s the nature of the beast. You possibly can’t plan an ideal ending on this sport, however I assume the right ending is to have been fortunate sufficient to do it in any respect. You all have given me a lot, and I hope I did you all proud. Croatia & Cleveland Ohio particularly. I felt all of you with me at each battle.
“To my opponents, thanks all. I realized one thing from each single one in every of you. It was a honour to go to battle brothers.
“And at last to the followers, you guys are the heartbeat of this sport. You might be what makes the MMA wonderful! With out you, we fighters don’t even exist. The push you gave me strolling all the way down to that octagon is endlessly engraved in my reminiscence! Thanks for that
“I’m not goin anyplace. Excited to start out some new tasks, convey again the podcast, break down all my fights & share my actuality with you!
“Till my subsequent battle……. simply kidding, simply kidding! “Perpetually grateful. It’s been a hell of a journey!”
Miocic retires from lively competitors with a 20-5 report and is broadly recognised as the best heavyweight champion in UFC historical past.
