There are several different things at work here. Acknowledging the fact that you don’t like how Cro Cop went about this isn’t tantamount to saying that you feel sorry for Dana White or that this type of transaction doesn’t occur that often. Personally, I really don’t feel too bad for the UFC, and I’m sure this crap happens a lot in the fight game. With that said, I still don’t have to like it. The UFC did get what they needed in the short-term, and Cro Cop, evidently, got what he wanted. The loss of Cro Cop doesn’t blow a hole in the UFC’s heavyweight division. However, I still put value on honesty.

Zach Arnold’s “contrarian” view sort of sounds like the anti-Dana White/UFC view. I find his delineation between getting “screwed” and getting “played like a fiddle” shaky at best. Either you approve of saying one thing and doing another, or you don’t. It doesn’t matter who you are, whether it’s a big or small organization. I’m certainly not going to lose sleep over it, but I wonder what Arnold would have written if Cro Cop had lost and White went back on a supposed verbal agreement for two more fights?

As a fan I don’t really care. I think Crocop is no longer an elite HW regardless so his leaving the UFC doesn’t change much. I wouldn’t mind seeing him fight Overeem again or fighting Brett Rogers.

As to the situation, I think it’s actually a bad thing for fighters long term. After this Dana is never going to do a verbal contract again. He’s going to be uber-careful so he doesn’t get screwed.

Legally I don’t think Dana can do shit. Rome’s comment is most likely off base because Crocop has fulfilled his part of the oral contract. I think it’s clear from both side’s comments that the ‘contract’ was a one-fight deal. Both sides agreed to have one fight and that contract was fulfilled. Nothing else was agreed. Crocop’s ‘promise’ doesn’t really mean anything even though it was a public comment. Dana can show no damages whatsoever.

Basic contract law requires offer and acceptance. In this case there was neither. I’m pretty sure that Dana’s legal team will advise him in the same way. There won’t be a lawsuit.

also – i really want to see what mmalogic has to say about this….hahaha

is what is Mirko’s motivation for doing this? I don’t think Mirko is in need of money so that motivation doesn’t fly for me.

He doesn’t really gain that much.

for as many fighters as the UFC and, more to the point, Dana White has screwed over throughout the years, i think it’s funny that Dana is crying foul over this. I’m not sure that there’s another sport out there that cashes in on it’s talent more so than MMA and specifically the UFC. I’m not sure this version of CroCop is worth signing for more fights, and besides, if he fought someone legit and got creamed like his last trip through the UFC, they would drop him just as fast as he dropped them. No one seems to care all that much when fighters make up all sorts of BS to hype fights before hand, so why are we now caring that a fighter (a really washed up one) pulled a fast one on Dana and the Boys? Japan is the perfect place for Mirko. he makes more money, they love him there, and no one cares if he wins or not. He may or may not NEED the money, but who’s going to begrudge him making it? get over yourselves here people. it’s his life, let him live and or ruin it on his own

Someone on Fightlinker made the point and I agree that this whole schism between Mirko and Dana White is probably fake. The UFC’s position is that they never do one off fight deals with the guys signed to other promotions. And yet, that’s exactly what happened here. I don’t believe the whole “oral contract” line. The fact of the matter is that Dana will do one off fight deals with guys signed to other promotions if it makes business sense as Cro Cop fighting in Germany most certainly did.

Of course don’t expect Dana to admit it!

Not the best of translations, but here’s what Google translator makes of this article: http://jutarnji.hr/sport/borilacki_sportovi/clanak/art-2009,6,14,,166592.jl

"President of UFC’s Dana White was unfairly accused Mirko Filipovic for treason

ZAGREB – The same Saturday night in which Mirko Filipovi? for only three minutes nokautirao Britain Mostapha Al Turk, President of American Organization UFC Dana White neargumentirano has accused the Croatian master free fight for the fraud and hypocrisy.

Cro Cop izigrao UFC and goes in a Dream?

Ten days ago Dana White and Cro Cop have a phone made arrangements for the duel on the UFC 99 tournament in kölnskoj Lanxess Arena, leaving open the possibility that cooperation produlji the two tournaments. However, the head of the UFC on Saturday felt circumvented because it is thought that the Croatian gladiator signed a contract with the Japanese Dream.

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- Mirko talks about honor and pride, and not held by his word. Told me that he wants to win the UFC’s title, only to then went to the Dream. And tonight I got a fly in the ointment, not only Al Turk – told reporters in the White Cologne.

Before you accuse Filipovi?a for hypocrisy, zagreb Whiteovih below empty phrase of honor. UFC leader is angry because Mirko, just as even the best ultimate fighter world; Fyodor Jemjeljanjenko, did not agree to commit two more appearances in the following year.

However, it is not true or that Cro Cop priklonio Dream. Learned that it is not signed, nor for whom, and that it is ready to discuss any offer. Moreover, Mirko is immediately after the victory kölnske expected conversation with Whiteom and surprised the charges UFC’s president.

- I’m not clear why the White nasjeo on rumors instead of talking with me. I was hoping that we will talk about the continuation of cooperation, because the only contentious item for a long period between performances. I do not want to sit for months at home and wait for that someone called me to fight. However, I am grateful for the opportunity Whiteu in Cologne and in spite of his heavy words, I do not see reason to not produljimo agreement – explained Mirko after returning from Germany.

White is Cro Copa invited to fight in Cologne in order to use his charisma most popular European fighter, and had proposed two more match, with the condition that should not be fighting under other flags. " Since the Dream also offers three fights, but in only six months, do you wonder what is Mirko still considering both offers?

Outcome of this story can be expected in the coming days. Given the loss of Whiteov in Cologne, it seems that Mirko zasad ring closer to the Japanese than American octagon."

So it sounds like Dana got the report in the Japanese press that MIrko signed with Dream and flipped out without even going to Cro Cop to confirm it.

I couldn’t give a shit that Mirko lied to Dana’s face, thats business. But you don’t get on the mike and tell your fans that you are going to run at the title and going to fight Couture and Nog while knowing you are going back to Japan the next day. I was a huge CC fanboy but now he has lost all credibility and respect.