Stipe releases first post-loss statement

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Stipe Miococ consecutively defended the UFC heavyweight championship more times than anyone in history (3), successfully defended the title more times than anyone in history (4), and holds the division record for performance bonuses (9). And he lost the belt in dramatic fashion to Francis Ngannou in the main event of UFC 260 on Saturday night. Now Miococ has released a graceful statement on his social network.

First and foremost, I’m ok. I know that fall wasn’t my most graceful fall, but I was unconscious, so it happens.

To my family friends and fans, especially Croatia & Cleveland...

I love you and I’m sorry. I hate letting you down. To my team, thank you. I know you feel every loss just as much as I do. We win as a family, we lose as a family. Losses aren’t fun, they always sting for a while, but that’s the beast of this business. You can’t win them all, and it’s important to understand that losing is just as much a part of sports (and life) as winning. Don’t ever forget God will always put you where you’re meant to be at that exact moment. You can’t dwell on what you should have done better, but you can learn and improve from it and come back more prepared next time.

Unfortunately, I deviated from game plan. I felt great coming into the second round, I saw it was beginning to go as planned. He was getting very winded, and I came in overzealous and unprotected. I wasn’t in a good posture to take the hit. He saw the opening, and did what any great fighter would have done.

That was my error that I accept, it won't happen again. Lastly, I’d like to congratulate Francis Ngannou and his team on a well-earned victory. Saturday night was your night, enjoy your victory! For now, I’m going to enjoy the downtime, spend some time with my family, and welcome our son into the world this summer... stay tuned, God bless.

UG, what do you think is next for Stipe?

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I think at his age, if he is going to have another run, he needs to take the time off work to give it his best shot. 

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If I were him I'd call it a career.  He's had a good run and can hold his head high.

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Was Francis getting very winded? Didn’t seem like it to me.

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Jump Kick -

Was Francis getting very winded? Didn’t seem like it to me.

With two minutes left in the first he was breathing with his mouth open. My friend and I were screaming at the tv for stipe to attempt a tskeeurn with two minutes left. Watch Francis’ interview with Rogan, he was still breathing heavy a minute into the interview!

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Needs a big win then francis again after francis first title defense vs lewis or jon if hes got the balls. Top 5 hw. 

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C1assy statement 

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vey gracious.  

honestly, i dont mind the fact that stipe takes time off between fights.  it gives him time to let brain heal, hes a FFPM which believe me is demanding.  and the heavyweight division is shallow as fuck.  its not like theres a ton of contenders out there.  hes also clearly the better fighter, but you get hit with one of those frances frag's and youre going down.  

hope he takes some time off, gets his head on straight and either gets the belt back or retires. 

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Rest up champ! Plenty of time to come back for your title. 

Pretty funny people saying to hang it up after a loss. It’s 1-1. One min you’re a world beater, the next you should call it a career? Gtfo

I’d rather see that trilogy then a Derrick Lewis title defense. I’d bet Stipe takes the third meeting

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Stipe is absolutely one of my all time favorites.

That statement just backs that up.

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clarenceworley -

If I were him I'd call it a career.  He's had a good run and can hold his head high.

Why would we retire?

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 I think he should retire & enjoy it.  He made money & was champ of the world.  He doesn't have the skill set going into 40 to stick around without taking damage.

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yomamafool -
clarenceworley -

If I were him I'd call it a career.  He's had a good run and can hold his head high.

Why would we retire?

Do you have Stipe in your pocket or something?

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To the people who are calling on Stipe to retire..like Tweety said "He don't know me very well do he?" LOL. He can beat, at the very least, every human being on Earth except perhaps Ngannou and Bones. If he should retire then there is a long list of fighters behind him that should retire. He is a true fighter with a very deep desire to win..something that a normal civilian just could not fathom. Stipe will get another chance at the belt and I predict he will win. The odds may be against him but I still like his chances. Will I bet on him? That is yet to be seen lol

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Francis learned from his loss and capitalized on it in the rematch. Francis can take statements like this one and learn how to be a champ.   Which I think he will be by all means, but this is refreshing to see no excuses and humbleness by one of the best.

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william795 -

 I think he should retire & enjoy it.  He made money & was champ of the world.  He doesn't have the skill set going into 40 to stick around without taking damage.

This. He should have retired after the 3rd DC fight. There was no good reason to continue after that 

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Trilogy would be interesting, but dana will avoid it at all cost, high risk, probably wont sell very well, and if stipes beats francis whats next? Stipe with head on shoulders could take it

dana probably would throw francis into olympic swimming pool

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Stipe ain't retiring.

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It is not inconceivable that Stipe could win a rematch with Ngannou. I would like to see a rematch at some point.

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He’s a champion in every sense of the word.