An emotional Stipe Miocic opened up on his decision to retire in a lengthy message to his supporters: “What an incredible way to go out!”

Northeast Ohio native Stipe Miocic called it a career after losing the main event of UFC 309 on Saturday night.

The UFC heavyweight champion protected his spot at the apex of mixed martial arts on Saturday night and moved to endear some more fans with a dominant win over Stipe Miocic, delivering a roundhouse kick to Miocic’s gut with his left leg that crumbled Miocic to the mat in the third round.