Stipe Miocic's rumored fight with Jon Jones in question; could retirement be next? | Opinion
Nov. 15—Eventually, every fighter hangs it up — whether forced or not.
If Stipe Miocic's days as a UFC heavyweight over, there are signs he's doing it on his own accord. And if he is, don't expect Miocic — who prefers to shy away from the spotlight than run to it — to request a gala retirement party.
He might just walk away quietly into the sunset — with his greatness as a UFC heavyweight intact.
Miocic's status was a big topic in New York City during UFC head honcho Dana White's post-UFC 281 news conference in the Big Apple during the early hours of Nov. 13.
That's because the Eastlake North graduate has been hotly rumored for months for a fight against former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones — like Miocic, one of the UFC's all-time greatest.
Initially, rumors and reports had a Jones-Miocic fight in July. When that deadline passed, the next rumor was September. When that passed, another rumor was a fight in December.
All the while, Miocic — the only UFC heavyweight champion to defend the belt four consecutive times — has been in virtual lockdown mode. His silence might be telling.
White gave some clarity on Miocic's future concerning a possible fight against Jones, but when the news conference was complete, nothing seemed clear.
Will Miocic ever fight Jones?
"We never had a Stipe-Jon Jones fight," said White about fight negotiations. "... I think Jon Jones will be the next fight at heavyweight."
White is now hopeful for a Jones bout vs. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou sometime in 2023.
Ngannou was the last opponent for Miocic, and that was March 27, 2021. Ngannou was in control from the start, and knocked out Miocic 52 seconds into Round 2.
Since then, Miocic (20-4) has stayed mostly out of the public eye while continuing his job as a Northeast Ohio firefighter. He and his wife Ryan recently had their second child, a son. Miocic also recently bought into the Romeo's pizza chain.
Time certainly isn't on the side of Miocic, who turned 40 last August. From 2018 to 2020, he endured a grueling trilogy of fights with Daniel Cormier, after Miocic lost the belt to Cormier in 2018.
Miocic regained the belt in 2019 via a fourth-round knockout, then won the third fight Aug. 15, 2020, in a five-round decision.
It took more than a year — 19 months to be exact — for Miocic to fight again. He looked leaner and was less than his usual 240-pound frame. The bigger Ngannou took advantage and claimed the heavyweight belt from Miocic.
Last June, Miocic's coach, Marcus Marinelli, said this about if and when his top fighter would next swap punches: "I don't know ... He'll make a decision and talk to me when he's ready. We'll figure it out one way or another."
Marinelli also told The News-Herald this about a possible fight with Jones: "We talk, but more casually. I don't push that type of stuff (about Jones). He did say, "(The UFC) may want (the fight).' Stipe's talked about it, but he's formed his group that makes those decisions."
At the time, Marinelli said Miocic has been at Strong Style — Miocic's longtime gym.
"He's been training, working out," he said. "He comes in and helps with some of the boxers. He's not here every day, but he's here a couple days a week."
As for White — who seemed optimistic months ago about a Jones-Miocic fight — he's not sure what to expect from the former two-time champion.
"I don't know ... maybe he won't fight (again)," said White about Miocic's future. "Maybe he will."
An attempt to contact Miocic was unsuccessful.
