Having won back the UFC Heavyweight title, Stipe Miocic has been sidelined due to an eye injury.
During his fight with Daniel Cormier, Miocic recieved an accidental eye poke which required surgery to repair damage to his retina. Hopes were high that the champ would be soon ready to return to the cage but his agent suggests more surgery may be required.
“Mr. Miocic’s health is his top priority,” agent Jim Walter told Marc Raimondi of ESPN. “Until we are 100 percent confident — or at least remotely confident — his short- and long-term vision will be sustained, he will not be returning to competition. We have been working closely with a variety of medical professionals to help ensure that Mr. Miocic can return to competition — whether it be in the Octagon or in the boxing ring.
“Stipe is the ultimate competitor and wants to fight but is unwilling to jeopardize his health. He sustained multiple eye pokes and damage to his retina from his previous fight against Daniel Cormier. His priority is his health and vision, his daughter and his family.”
The UFC favour a trilogy match between Miocic and Cormier but Miocic has talked in the past of giving boxing a shot and has shown an interest in facing Tyson Fury. Whether Fury would be interested is hard to tell as he prepares for the Deontay Wilder fight which could lead to a trilogy fight between those two or a unification fight with fellow Brit, Anthony Joshua.
“After his health is cleared, we hope to have Stipe back in competition this year in a fight that makes sense and against an opponent that Stipe has not beaten before,” Walter said. “He is more than wiling to defend his belt. If an opportunity presents itself outside the UFC, Tyson Fury and Stipe spoke face-to-face in Las Vegas at the McGregor fight.”
If Miocic does need an other operation then dont be surprised if the UFC create an Interim title fight due to his inactivity.
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