Mirko Cro Cop's UFC 103 Impotence in Numbers
by Mike Fagan on Sep 22, 2009 4:00 PM EDT
in MMA News
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It didn't take a genius to see Mirko Filipovic's hesitance in his UFC 103 bout with "Minotauro" Nogueira's protege Junior dos Santos. At times, Cro Cop found success with a straight left (leaving the Brazilian with some nasty lacerations and contusions to deal with in the morning), but he eventually settled into a pattern of pushing the Brazilian off whenever he closed in.
FightMetric has released their report for the fight this week, and the numbers are staggering.
Consider this: Cro Cop threw a total of 51 strikes throughout the entire bout. Meanwhile, dos Santos landed 83 of his own. "Cigano" saw the lion's share of his success going to the body where he landed 49 of 61 strikes (80%), 29 of those landed being power shots.
Full stats:
Strikes by area
| Total |
Power |
Jab |
||
| Head | 31/109 (29%) |
20/69 (29%) |
11/37 (30%) |
|
| dos Santos |
Body | 49/61 (80%) |
29/34 (85%) |
20/27 (74%) |
| Leg | 3/3 (100%) |
2/2 (100%) |
1/1 (100%) |
|
| Head | 13/36 (36%) |
7/22 (29%) |
6/14 (43%) |
|
| Filipovic | Body | 7/11 (64%) |
5/8 (63%) |
2/3 (67%) |
| Leg | 4/4 (100%) |
4/4 (100%) |
0/0 (0%) |
Strikes by round
| Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
|
| dos Santos |
28/56 (50%) |
30/71 (42%) |
25/43 (58%) |
| Filipovic | 8/21 (38%) |
11/19 (58%) |
5/11 (45%) |
UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort coverage
Photo via www.sherdog.com
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huge fan
I’m not one of those guys who hops on and off of the bandwagon once I’m a fan. Cro Cop has never looked good in the UFC and I think it’s time to hang them up! It actually pains me to say this because I’m a huge fan. Thanks for the memories!
I think he’s one of those fighters who can’t be as successful without the soccer kick.
Wanderlei Silva anyone?
(preparing for the backlash)
"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock
I really dont see how the soccer kick would have won him that fight as i dont remember it ever going to the ground.
I’m not talking about just one fight. It’s called generalization.
"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock
It’s not the fights he lost not using it, it’s the fights he won when he could use it.
"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock
The numbers speak a tale far more grim than I could have imagined.
Enjoy fishing, Mirko.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Sep 22, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions
I still can't get over how weird that was....
I thought he was injured when he just kept pushing instead of punching.
Yeah, I mentioned to Luke and another friend via IM that it looked like he might be nursing his rib(s).
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
I thought he’d broken his rib again.
The whole fight reminded me of his fight with Kongo.
by Michaelthebox on Sep 22, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
This is one of the few times I can remember where the commentary was so biased I actively noticed it.
Listening to Rogan and Goldberg, the fight was pretty close going into the third round. My eyes kept telling me that Dos Santos was systematically taking CroCop apart.
agreed
the commentary was more biased towards Cro Cop, still, UFC commentary is 10x better than its competition.
The Queen to Rook Seven comment about Alonzo Martinez’s hair at XFC 9 was classic.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Sep 22, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
To be perfectly honest, CC landed some very quick jabs to Dos Santos that nearly nobody saw. They were fairly quick and accurate. I don’t think his hands lacked speed, it was just the fact that he backed away from Dos Santos’ power that ultimately killed him. Rogan wasn’t acting over the top because something wasn’t there, but I think live, they had a better vantage point of those quick shots than we did, which is sort of odd because it’s usually the opposite. I re-watched some of it later, and it’s hard to see the shots that bloodied Dos Santos.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Sep 22, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw those shots too, but Rogan was acting over the top over some shots that were still few in comparison to the shots that Dos Santos was landing.
by Michaelthebox on Sep 22, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
He looked pretty fine in the first round honestly...
Mirko was using the straight punches well and was providing a decent threat. The pushes were to keep from playing the inside power game with Dos Santos (which was smart)…but he clearly faded early in the second round and then there was nothing done with the distance that the pushes created.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 22, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
So bizarre to see Mirko unable/unwilling(?) to pull the trigger. Usually he was the one making his opponent reluctant to let their hands go.
I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.
Am I the only person who thought he looked the best he’s ever been in the UFC? Cigano was just bigger and better than he was.
I can’t say I personally agree – but given his past performances that’s not saying much.
He just seemed reluctant to engage, was constantly on the run and just didn’t fight the way he does when he is successful. He honestly looked like he was trying not to lose or to make it to the final bell and not to win
I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.
by The_Gaijin on Sep 22, 2009 6:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
CroCop has always fought like that. He doesn’t rush into battle. He times his shots and he times his kicks and wait for openings.
His greatest performance was against Wanderlei: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMW2SYBLA4A. His tempo hasn’t really changed. The difference was that Wanderlei was a much smaller guy and a far less technical striker. Cigano is a better striker than Wanderlei plus he’s huge relative to CroCop. Honestly, how could anyone not see that. Every single fighter he’s had trouble with in the UFC was much larger than him. Gonzaga nullified whatever CroCop had to offer by pummeling him on the ground. Kongo was huge and no where as good as Dos Santos and yet he overwhelmed him with his size.
CroCop is just not a UFC heavyweight. Period. Don’t let the Pride era fool you. He was in shape and he looked good, but when he’s 223 VS a guy like Dos Santos who hits harder and can absolve strikes while shortening the distance by going forward and cutting off space. CroCop had to constantly push him off to create space. it’s not possible for him to win, prime CC or not. Let’s not forget that even if CC got the better of the exchanges, Dos Santos could have taken him to the ground and CC would have no answer for him there.
CroCop still has it in him. He just need to swallow his pride and drop to 205, his natural weight class. The UFC HW division is not the Pride heavyweight division where middleweights masquerade as heavyweights.
Mirko never, ever fought like this…anywhere, ever.
There’s a big difference between keeping spacing, timing counterstrikes and going for the killing at opportune situations and repeatedly out and out running/retreating from anything resembling an exchange. It’s the same type of strategy that cost him a decision in the Hunt fight.
I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.
He definitely “looked” better in the Sanchez and al-Turk fights.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
Those gut shots were refreshing – you don’t see too many fighters do it throughout the fight
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
I was definitely impressed with Cigano’s body work throughout the fight.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
On the body work note...
I liked JdS’s body work a lot. But man, why Mirko doesn’t fire that body kick more I don’t know.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 22, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
The only thing I liked about Cigano’s body work… was the fact that he wasn’t hitting me with it. That shit looked HURTFUL.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Sep 22, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Crocop did well masking the pain it inflicted. I remember the first real solid knee Dos Santos landed and Mirko made a face for one second and sucked it up.
"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate
by Kaleb Kelchner on Sep 22, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope Cro Cop continues fighting.
If nothing else he can be a Herring like fighter that determines if a young fighter is the real deal or not. And plus I wouldnt mind seeing a few big matches.
Cro Cop/Randy
Cro Cop/Chuck
Cro Cop/Loser of Rothwell vs. Velazquez
The bigger questions becomes what happens now with JDS and Big Nog?
Is Gabriel Gonzaga a sure thing for one of them? And who is the other opponent?
Is Frank Mir/Kongo for sure? Could the UFC sign Yvel because that could create some interesting matches.
Cro Cop did well considering what other fighters had vs. Junior. I didn’t think he had much chance before or while watching the fight, but he did pop Junior good with the straights. He just didn’t have any other tricks up his sleeve which was a shame. He must’ve been worried that he’d be clobbered if he tried to put together a real combination.
It won’t be safe for Mirko to go back in there unless his mind is right. Either way, he’s done pretty well for himself and deserves another fight or a farewell.
What the man really deserves is his own highlight show on Spike’s PRIDE series they have in the works…people need to know, see, and remember the Crocop we know and love.
"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate
by Kaleb Kelchner on Sep 22, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
I think Cro Cop handled himself pretty well….in the begining anyway. His confidence seemed to fade a as the fight got further and further. I never really set up the LHK, threw it, but, never set it up.
He’s an amazing fighter, always has been, always will be. JDS is a tough dude. A lot of people have and wil have trouble with this guy. CC took a lot of punishment that I bet some of these other HWs wouldn’t be able to handle.
While Mirko more than deserves retirement, I would like to see just one more fight. Hopefully with a LHK KO.
by MMAtt on Sep 22, 2009 8:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
All you people calling for the retirement of CroCop should be ashamed of yourselves. Did you ever consider that maybe er CroCop just had a bad night? Put Crocop up against grapplers and he would do much better!
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
...
Wanting him to go back in the cage for more abuse when his heart clearly isnt in it anymore is downright sadistic.
Did you not see the look on his face when he quit?
I’ll take your advice and consider your post a work of satire.
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
I dont think he should go back to the cage becuase the ring is his home, the ropes really enhance his style. Dream is where its at for Crocop!
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
What we saw was bigger than cage vs ring IMO. Cro was not there to win. It was painfully clear. Ropes aren’t going to change that. The only thing that would change is quality of competition. When Chuck was demolished by Rampage in Pride, that was ring. This is something far worse unfortunately. While I agree that Cro is better suited for the ring, it’s just over unless he wants some chincy little fights over in Dream.
Rampage demolishing Chuck had little to do with the ring. The second fight should have removed that doubt.
I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.
by The_Gaijin on Sep 22, 2009 10:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dos Santos is elite
The destruction of Werdum is no fluke. CC needs to accept he lost to a better fighter and move on…to 205.
who cares Crocop himself is saying he is done, he is just a lil confused. Someone needs to talk to him and tell him that he needs to keep fighting cuase he is not washed, he still can fight, just not againt the JDS’s of the world.
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
I don't understand how you guys can not think he's done …
…when he says himself he’s done.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Sep 22, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
He's got nothing left to prove
Or at least in his heart, he just doesn’t want that UFC title enough to continue with the daily regiment of training and fighting. He’s not willing to do what it takes anymore to rise to the top.
It’s a shame cause I think physically he still has some juice left in the engine. If only he could drink some potion and get his mojo back.
Reluctance
In any competitive sport if you convince yourself that your opponent is better than you, then you have already lost.
I think Crocop had the right tools to land a win but he just gave up mentally during the fight. His mojo just upped and left him. He was very hesitant even though he landed some good punches early on.
I actually thought Dos Santos was more nervous at the beginning. But by the end of the first round Dos Santos could smell the fear and his confidence just went straight up.
I don’t think Crocop is physically over the hill but mentally he just doesn’t have the champion spirit right now. He is burned out for sure.
Who knows maybe a long vacation might re-ignite his desire … or maybe he’ll just realize that he cannot get it back and retired for good.
Mirko Cro Cop’s UFC 103 Impotence
After what happened to his testicles in the Kongo fight, bringing up the impotence seems like a bit of a low blow.
by WanderleiNoooooo! on Sep 22, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions
they say its the lowest form of humor but, yeah.
by WanderleiNoooooo! on Sep 22, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions
I thought they said that about sarcasm.
I quite like a good pun.
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Sep 23, 2009 6:44 AM EDT up reply actions
What are his chances at 205? Couture and Liddlell I could see. Would him vs. Ortiz be something of a dream match? He could probably take Bonnar and Coleman. Can’t see him keeping up with Franklin or Rashad or Thiago. I think Jardine would give him fits as well. Where is Wanderlei? Is he for certain dropping to 185?
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