issued a lengthy statement Monday following his retirement from the Octagon on Saturday evening.
The former UFC heavyweight champion, who compiled a record of 20-5 in his professional career, thanked his coaches, his opponents, his wife and the fans in the social media post.
Let me start this post by saying I'm fine. I've experienced much worse. I hope everyone enjoyed Saturday's show. What an incredible way to go out! I started this journey fighting at local bowling alleys and ended it at sold-out Madison Square Garden. It really doesn't work anymore.
Sorry I don't understand the W, but you can't get them all. Sometimes it's not your night, that's the nature of the animal. You can't plan a perfect ending in this sport, but I think the perfect ending is being lucky enough to make it in the first place. You have all given me so much and I hope I have made you all proud. Especially Croatia and Cleveland, Ohio. I felt you all by my side in every battle.
To Marcus Marinelli and the Strongstyle team. We started together, we finished together. We cried together and we bled together. If people only knew the full story of everything we've been through, we could write a pretty badass novel. There is no one else I would have shared this journey with. The best part is that we are family forever. Marcus, I know my father died. But I also know he appreciates you stepping in and being the father figure I needed in my life. We had a great running coach. You have dedicated years of your life to me. We wrote history based on a dream and you had a vision. Now we have more time to drink wine and play euchre while making fun of Bobby for being bad at defending himself.
I thank all of my opponents. I have learned something from each and every one of you. It was an honor to go to war, brothers
To my wife, you are my rock. The ship won't sail without you. You have sacrificed so much for this dream and I love you. God knew I needed you and you motivate me more than anyone! I'll miss DJing at Embedded, but that's what YouTube is for. To my children, everything I have ever done is just for the two of you. To my mother: I know this is not the career you would have chosen for me, but you have always been by my side from day one. Me and you. To my Vayner sports family: You are the best in the industry!
And finally to the fans: you are the heartbeat of this sport. You are the one who makes MMA great! Without you, we fighters don't exist. The rush you gave me when you walked down to that octagon is forever imprinted in my memory! Thank you for that
I'm not going anywhere. I'm excited to start some new projects, bring back the podcast, break down all my struggles, and share my reality with you!
Until my next fight… just kidding, just kidding!
Forever grateful. It was one hell of a ride!
❤️
Miocic ended his career as the greatest UFC heavyweight champion. In his defeat, he set the record for most heavyweight title defenses with four title defenses with a unanimous decision victory on August 18, 2022. He ended his career with two consecutive knockout losses at UFC 260 and at UFC 309..