Miserable Reality Behind Stipe Miocic’s Retirement Revealed After Dreadful KO from Jon Jones at UFC 309
It’s fair to say that most fans predicted Stipe Miocic would lose to Jon Jones at UFC 309. How he would lose, however, was a topic of much speculation until the shocking moment in the third round when Jones unleashed a thunderous spinning back-kick that left Miocic on the canvas. **[Place Photo 1 here: A dramatic shot of Miocic and Jones in the Octagon, mid-fight, capturing the intensity of the battle.]** The arena fell silent, and many fans found themselves teary-eyed watching their beloved champion succumb to a painful loss. Jon Jones, the heavy favorite, did what many expected – but the way he closed the fight left a lasting mark.
Brendan Schaub, former UFC fighter turned podcaster, was among those who foresaw Miocic’s downfall. Even before the fight, Schaub voiced doubts about Miocic’s mindset, suggesting that the heavyweight legend wasn’t truly prepared to compete. “I don’t think Stipe really wanted to do this – I don’t think he did. I think he’s been done for a long time, and he knows his body is a fraction of what it used to be. He can’t really put his best foot forward,” Schaub said on his podcast, painting a picture of a man whose heart was no longer in the Octagon.
Despite predicting Miocic’s loss, even Schaub was surprised by Miocic’s post-fight interview. **[Place Photo 2 here: Miocic giving his short, emotional post-fight speech inside the cage, with visible expressions of fatigue and frustration.]** Known for his stoicism, Miocic offered no grand reflection on his career – just a short, blunt statement: “I’m done, I’m hanging ’em up. I’m not returning, thank God!” It was a candid, almost raw moment that showed a weary man ready to step away from the relentless grind of professional fighting.
Brendan Schaub offered his own reflections on this abrupt retirement. “They give him the mic, and there’s nothing special, no big moment. He just says, ‘I’m done, thank God!’ He wanted no part of the after-party or anything to celebrate. He just wanted to go back, fight fires, and raise his kids.” Schaub’s remarks captured the essence of a man exhausted by the game, longing to return to a simpler life.
But Miocic’s legacy will never be defined by his final two losses. **[Place Photo 3 here: A collage of Miocic’s greatest moments, featuring his victories over Fabricio Werdum, Alistair Overeem, and Daniel Cormier.]** The Croatian-American fighter lived a double life as a firefighter and a UFC champion, racking up a list of achievements that will cement him as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Fans will always cherish his trilogy with Daniel Cormier, his knockouts of heavyweight legends, and his masterclass against Francis Ngannou that stopped the hype train dead in its tracks.
To Schaub’s credit, Stipe Miocic indeed seemed done with fighting. His heart was no longer in the cage – instead, it was in the firehouse and with his family. His rocky relationship with UFC President Dana White perhaps made the decision to walk away a little easier.
It’s interesting to note Schaub’s tone when he spoke about Miocic’s exit. There was a hint of exasperation, as if Schaub himself knew what it felt like to bow out on such a low note. The former TUF alum, too, retired after two straight losses, the last being a brutal KO at the hands of Travis Browne. And both Schaub and Miocic had their disagreements with Dana White, especially regarding fighter pay. Back in 2015, Schaub famously criticized the UFC’s Reebok deal, which limited fighters’ ability to secure sponsorships, prompting a public spat with White.
In the end, Miocic leaves behind a rich legacy – the two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion who defended the belt three times consecutively and fought for the people, both inside and outside the cage. Although his last words in the Octagon were not poetic, they were real, showing a man who was finally ready to move on. And maybe, that’s the most powerful ending a champion can have.
