Heavyweight fighter Stipe Miocic has announced his retirement after 30 years with UFC promotion.
Heavyweight fighter Stipe Miocic recently battled heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 309, but he lost by knockout in round three. Following this defeat, the fighter released a statement announcing his retirement from the promotion.
“Let me start this post by saying I am good. I have been through a lot worse. I hope everybody enjoyed the show on Saturday. What an incredible way to go out! I started this journey fighting in local bowling alleys and ended it selling out Madison Square Garden. It truly doesn’t get better than that.
“Sorry, I don’t get the W, but you can’t get them all. Sometimes, it’s not your night. That is the nature of the beast. You can’t plan a perfect ending in this sport, but I guess the perfect ending is to have been lucky enough to do it at all. You all have given me so much, and I hope I did you all proud. Croatia & Cleveland, Ohio especially. I felt all of you with me at every battle.
“To Marcus Marinelli and the Strongstyle team. We started together, we finished together. We cried together & we bled together. If people only knew the whole story of everything we have been through… we could write a pretty badass novel.
“There is nobody else I would have shared this journey with… the best part is that we are family forever… Marcus, I know my father has passed. But I also know he appreciates you stepping in and being the father figure I needed in my life. We had a hell of a run coach. You dedicated years of your life to me. We made history based on a dream, and you had a vision. Now, we have more time to drink wine and play euchre while making fun of Bobby because he is terrible at defending himself.
“To my opponents, thank you all. I learned something from every single one of you. It was an honour to go to war, brothers.
“To my wife, you are my rock. The ship doesn’t sail without you. You sacrificed so much for this dream, and I love you. God knew I needed you & you motivate me more than anyone! I will miss hanging up on you on Embedded, but there’s
“YouTube for that. To my kids, everything I have ever done is all for the two of you. To my Mom, I know this isn’t the career you would have chosen for me, but you have always been in my corner since day one.. it was me & you. My Vayner sports family, you guys are the best in the business!
“And finally, to the fans, you guys are the heartbeat of this sport. You are what makes the MMA amazing! Without you, we fighters don’t even exist. The rush you gave me walking down to that octagon is forever engraved in my memory! Thank you for that.
“I’m not going anywhere. Excited to start some new projects, bring back the podcast, break down all my fights & share my reality with you!
Until my next fight……. just kidding, just kidding!
“Forever grateful. It’s been a hell of a ride!”
Miocic wraps up his UFC career with a pro record of 20-5. The fighter was a two-time heavyweight champion with four title defences. In UFC 252, Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier with a unanimous decision. Since then, the fighter has had two straight knockout losses to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.
