Is Stipe Miocic retiring? Former champ hints at fighting future ahead of Jon Jones bout at UFC 309

Stipe Miocic is preparing for his final fight at UFC 309.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the former heavyweight champion is calling it quits after the Nov. 16 pay-per-view (PPV) event. That’s because Miocic believes every fight has the potential to be his last. In addition, the part-time firefighter turned 42 back in August.

Interim champion Tom Aspinall is just 31.

“I think every fight, I’m always preparing for my last one,” Miocic told MMA Fighting. “I always thought about retiring after my first UFC fight. I say that all the time. Who wants to get beat up for 10 weeks, 12 weeks, come back and do it again?”

“I love what I do and it’s fun,” Miocic continued. “So we’ll see, but right now my task at hand is Jon. That’s all I care about. That’s what I’m thinking about. When I do beat him, it’s going to be great.”

Jones turned 37 back in July.

Miocic has not competed since getting knocked out by Francis Ngannou in early 2021. He was supposed to battle “Bones” at UFC 295 last November; however, Jones tore his pectoral muscle and was forced to withdraw from the “Big Apple” fight card.

Like Miocic, UFC 309 may also mark the final appearance of Jones.