One week from now, former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 309, ending a three-year absence from the fight world. He’s set to face off against reigning heavyweight champion Jon Jones at Madison Square Garden, with hopes of reclaiming his lost glory.

Despite their five-year age difference, another concern for Miocic, and one that’s unsettling fight fans, is his last appearance at UFC 295. Originally scheduled to fight Jones, the bout was instead replaced by Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title after Jones suffered an injury. The Ohio native was seen arriving at the arena in a video where he appeared to be “limping” while leaning on his wife for support, sparking concerns that age might be catching up with him.

However, after a year of silence, Miocic recently addressed the rumors in an interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri ahead of his UFC 309 bout. When Mahjouri asked about the viral video, he noted, “There were people who thought you were limping on your walkout to UFC 295. I think you were just holding your wife’s hand behind you as you were making that walk.” Miocic dismissed all viral claims and cleared up the speculation, responding, “Yeah, I don’t limp or have anything like that, but yeah, let them think what they want. I mean, it’s fine.”

Stipe Miocic, a lifelong contender, could present a serious challenge to Jon Jones. The Ohio native is known for his slick boxing maneuvers and explosive power, with over 18 UFC fights, many of which ended in KO victories. However, Miocic has been absent from the octagon for three years following his knockout loss to then-champion Francis Ngannou, a setback that many view as a “rusty” situation for the former champion, which Miocic’s former rival, Curtis Blaydes, recently opened up about.

Curtis Blaydes comments on Stipe Miocic ahead of Jon Jones clash

As the highly anticipated Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic bout draws near, oddsmakers and analysts are largely favoring Jones, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. Despite Miocic’s cemented status after years of blood, sweat, and victory, his long absence from the Octagon raises concerns. This is not just speculation, but an analysis shared by #5 ranked heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes, who, despite being in the division for years, never had the chance to face Miocic.

Blaydes recently opened up about Miocic’s situation ahead of the fight with Jones. In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Blaydes predicted a “100%” win for Jones, stating, “I mean, who knows? Stipe’s been off for so long, rust might be a factor. That’s something to think about. I’ve heard that whenever Stipe shows up at an event, press conference, or meet-and-greet, he looks like he has a limp, doesn’t look healthy, and appears smaller. I don’t know. Based on all that, I’d go with Jon.”

What’s your take on Stipe Miocic’s remarks? Do you think his appearance at UFC 295 wasn’t due to a limp, or is Miocic downplaying his condition ahead of his heavyweight clash against Jon Jones to maintain his fans’ confidence? Share your thoughts below.