UFC 309 Spotlight: Stipe Miocic and the Challenges of a Long Layoff

As the MMA community gears up for one of the most anticipated heavyweight title fights in UFC history, all eyes are on Stipe Miocic, who’s set to face Jon Jones at UFC 309.  Miocic’s last fight was against Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 on March 27, 2021, where he suffered a knockout loss in the second round.  While Stipe had his moments, Ngannou’s power proved to be too much for the seasoned vet, who was dealt a knockout blow after rushing in to try to get a finish.

Prior to the Ngannou fight, Miocic’s last win was against Daniel Cormier in their trilogy fight at UFC 252 on August 15, 2020.  While that win was impressive, Cormier has since retired from fighting, something he has in common with Stipe’s other opponents.  In fact, Stipe lacks a win over any active UFC heavyweight, which is understandable given Stipe’s 42 years of age.  It’s a testament to Miocic’s durability that he’s faced the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt, Alistair Overeem, and Francis Ngannou and is still fighting in his 40s.

Nonetheless, fans have questioned how Miocic will fare against Dana White’s GOAT, Jon Jones, given his age and multi-year hiatus from the octagon.  Some argue that such a prolonged layoff could lead to “ring rust,” a phenomenon in which a fighter’s physical conditioning, timing and rhythm, and mental readiness degrade due to extended time away from the octagon.  Others seem to think that ring rust is more of an old wives’ tale.  Jon Jones, for instance, took off three years between defending his belt against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 and successfully challenging for the belt against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.  Notably, however, Jones was 35 when he accomplished that feat, and Stipe Miocic will be 42 when he takes on the man 5 years his junior at UFC 309.