Issue 036
April 2008
Former soldier and police officer Mirko Filipovic, better known as Cro Cop, is a fan favourite noted for his pinpoint striking skills and ruthless finishing ability. A K-1 fighter who made the jump to MMA in 2001, he spent the majority of his career in Japan dismantling his opponents with his efficient sprawl and brawl and sending the majority of them to sleep courtesy of his infamous left high kick.
The southpaw suffered a terrible 2007. His defection to the UFC was big news, and much was expected of Cro Cop inside the Octagon. He walked through the way-overmatched Eddie Sanchez in his first outing in the States, with his next two fights being on UK soil. In a shocking upset and ironic twist, Cro Cop was KO’d with a high kick by Gabriel Gonzaga, and returning to action last September, he was on the wrong end of a decision to Frenchman Cheick Kongo.
Since the loss to Kongo Cro Cop’s future with the UFC was left severely in doubt. The UFC exercised their contractual right to demand he take a pay cut as he had lost two consecutive fights, but ended up releasing him from his contract in what has been described as an amicable split (although whether the UFC are happy with the way things turned out is still out with the jury).
A return to Japan to fight for new promotion DREAM seems almost like a homecoming for Filipovic, who will fight for the first time in six months come March 15th. During the press conference in February, he said, “I never liked fighting in the cage. I always liked to fight in the ring. The second thing is that I liked fighting in Japan. All those reasons [have brought me] here, and I'm very happy that I'm going to fight here in Japan. But of course, one day, I don't know when, but definitely I'll be back in the UFC to show that it was just a bad period for me. Now I'm fully recovered, physically and mentally, most important mentally.”
Mental Fortitude
Though known as a steely veteran with an ice-cold demeanour in the ring, there have been a few moments in his career where cracks have appeared and he has suffered from lapses of concentration. His K-1 career saw the first when he was KO’d by blown-up middleweight Michael McDonald, but his MMA career has seen more than a few reoccurrences, most notably in his fight with Kevin Randleman, who sent him down with a crunching left hook to the jaw. When he is switched on though, few can match his intensity.
Nose
His fight with Kongo looked like an impersonator had donned the famous checked shorts, such was the standard of his performance that night. It transpired in the weeks following that Filipovic had been suffering problems with his nose for the last few months, making it difficult for him to breathe. Surgery has since rectified the problem, and Cro Cop says he’s going to be at full strength in his next fight.
Left leg
His most feared weapon of all, Cro Cop’s left high kick is responsible for no less than five knockouts in his MMA career, with it contributing to the demise of plenty more of his opponents. Able to deliver the kick with blinding speed and usually set up with his southpaw cross, it is one of the most devastating kicks in all of MMA.
Fact file:
Born: Privlaka, Croatia
Height: 6’2”
Category: Heavyweight (205lbs to 265lbs)
Fighting MMA since: 2001
Total record: 22 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws.
Notable fights:
Loss to Gabriel Gonzaga via KO (Head Kick), UFC 70, April 21st 2007
Win over Josh Barnett via Submission (Strikes), PRIDE – Final Conflict Absolute, 10th September 2006
Win over Wanderlei Silva via KO (Head Kick), PRIDE – Final Conflict Absolute, 10th September 2006
Loss to Fedor Emelianenko via Decision (Unanimous), PRIDE – Final Conflict 2005, 28th August 2006
Win over Mark Coleman via KO (Punches), PRIDE 29 – Fists Of Fire, 20th February 2006
Win over Kevin Randleman via Submission (Guillotine Choke), PRIDE – Shockwave 2004, 31st December 2004
Win.over Aleksander Emelianenko via KO, PRIDE – Final Conflict 2004, 15th August 2004
Loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via Submission (Armbar), PRIDE – Final Conflict, 9th November 2003
Win over Igor Vovchanchyn via KO (Head Kick), PRIDE – Total Elimination 2003 10th August 2003
Win over Heath Herring via TKO (Strikes), PRIDE 26 – Bad to the Bone, 8th June 2003
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