Stipe Miocic Says He’s Cleared From Injury, Return Date Not Set Yet

Two time UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic was last seen in action in the main event of UFC 241, defeating former two division UFC champion Daniel Cormier by fourth round TKO to reclaim the gold.

A victorious Miocic has been dealing with an eye injury that has kept him out of action since UFC 241, but now the champion has been cleared for a return.

“(I’m) better – a lot better,” Miocic said at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards (via Nolan King of MMA Junkie). “It’s healed up. I’m taking my time with it because I’m 37, so I don’t want to injure it again. I want to be able to see out of both eyes when I get older. That’s all I really care about right now. I love fighting, but my health is more important. (I was cleared) about a week ago. I’ve been trying to spar a little bit. It’s been rough because I’ve not sparred in over five months. The guys that I take it out on would take it out on me. It’s not been fun. I’m thinking about that in the back of my mind.”

Miocic has also resumed sparring and a trilogy bout with the aforementioned Cormier is expected in the near future. 

However, while the trilogy bout is expected, it is unknown at this time as to exactly when that will take place.

“Not right now,” Miocic said. “I just got cleared. I’m taking my time getting back into the swing of things. We’ll figure it out and see what happens.”

When Miocic and Cormier do eventually clash, it is going to be the first time either has competed in a trilogy bout as a professional MMA fighter.