UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic likely out for the rest of 2019 with eye injury

It was teased that heavyweight rivals Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier would complete their trilogy bout at the upcoming UFC 245 pay-per-view on Dec. 14 but, according to Miocic, that’s probably not going to happen.

The reigning heavyweight champion is currently having trouble with his vision after being on the receiving end of multiple accidental eye pokes in his UFC 241 title bout with Cormier this past August, telling ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that he won’t be defending his title until he can see out of both eyes again.

“I’ll be ready to fight when I can see out of both eyes again,” Miocic said. “I can’t wait to defend my belt.”

Miocic’s agent, Jim Walter, also contacted ESPN to state that his client’s health is his No. 1 priority.

“Mr. Miocic sustained a major retina injury from multiple eye pokes during his bout at UFC 241,” said Walter, of Kaulig Sports and Entertainment. “Our client’s health and safety is our top priority. We are excited for him to return to action when he is healthy compete in his seventh consecutive world title fight.”

Per ESPN, “Miocic’s eye is scheduled to be reevaluated in three weeks to determine if another procedure is necessary. Once he receives medical clearance, Miocic will only resume noncontact activities at first, leaving a fight in 2019 virtually impossible”.

Miocic avenged his 2018 knockout loss to ‘DC’ by coming back to KO the former two-division champion in the fourth round of their headlining championship rematch at UFC 241 last month.

Cormier, the formerly-ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, confirmed that a trilogy bout with Miocic will be his last.