With today’s loss at Madison Square Garden at UFC 309 to Jon Jones, former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, after giving ‘blood’ and ‘sweat’ to this sport, has finally hung up his gloves at the age of 42, after an incredible 15-year career—something very few fighters can achieve, as most bow out before reaching their 30s.

Miocic has been billed as the ‘greatest heavyweight of all time,’ but he failed to live up to this narrative in his swansong. Now, with the event concluded, this outcome has become a thorn in the side of fighter-turned-commentator Daniel Cormier, who recently offered his perspective on the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight. Let’s take a look at his observations.

Daniel Cormier dismantles the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic narrative

UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones solidified his status as the ‘GOAT of MMA’ today, sending lifelong heavyweight Stipe Miocic into the shadows in his first title defense. ‘Bones’ secured a dominant win in the third round, demonstrating his superiority throughout the fight. From the outset, Miocic appeared slow, and Jones quickly took advantage, dominating the first round. This marked Miocic’s first outing since March 2021, when he was knocked out by former champion Francis Ngannou.

As a result, this defeat exposed the misleading portrayal by Dana White and the UFC, which suggested Miocic was on par with Jon Jones. Likely crafted to avoid a potential fight with rising star Tom Aspinall, this illusion was completely dismantled by Jones’ dominant performance. The fight clearly showed that Miocic was not in the same league as Jones, revealing how the UFC had inflated Miocic’s status to protect certain matchups.

Furthermore, Daniel Cormier, in his analysis on his YouTube channel, addressed the mismatch, saying, “From the very start of this fight, it was very apparent that these two were not on the same level. In round one, Jon Jones had a 10-8 round. He started the fight with a beautiful kick to the middle and followed it up with jabs that stunned Stipe Miocic. Then, he took Miocic down with a sick takedown.”

Now, with UFC 309 behind us, there’s no longer any point in keeping the debate alive about whether Miocic was the greatest heavyweight or not. What is undeniable, though, is his legendary status. Today, both the fight community and mainstream media recognize his legacy with gratitude and respect. Celebrity boxer Jake Paul echoed the same sentiment.

Jake Paul shares his thoughts on Miocic’s retirement

Throughout his decades-long career in MMA, Stipe Miocic has earned his reputation as one of the sport’s most respected figures, particularly in the UFC, where he has spent nearly 14 years. Miocic is celebrated not only for his exceptional fighting prowess but also for his humility and sportsmanship. Unlike many heavyweights who indulge in trash-talking and drag families into the spotlight, Miocic stands out for his old-school bonafide approach.

Recently, after referring to Jon Jones as a “b-tch” in an interview, Miocic quickly acknowledged his mistake and offered a heartfelt apology, demonstrating his character both inside and outside the octagon. His willingness to admit his error reinforced the sportsmanship he has long been known for. Despite showing signs of rust in the octagon and struggling to cope with Jon Jones’ relentless attacks, Stipe Miocic, following his defeat, stepped forward with a heavy heart to announce his retirement, stating, “I’m done.”

His decision resonated deeply with many, including fellow Ohioan Jake Paul, who took to social media to honor Miocic’s impact on the sport. On X, Paul wrote, “Stipe Miocic is the greatest fighter from Ohio ever. Ohio, we need to celebrate this man. Congrats on an amazing career, brother.”

What’s your take on Daniel Cormier’s comments? Do you agree with his view that Stipe Miocic did not belong in the Octagon with Jones? Could it be an attempt to downplay the lack of a tough challenge for Jon Jones’ first successful title defense, or do you still believe Miocic deserves the title of greatest, despite the impact of aging on his performance? Let us know your thoughts!