High Expectations and History Plague Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic's Future
by Leland Roling on Feb 23, 2010 10:36 AM EST
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One of the storylines that some of the major MMA media have been focusing on in the aftermath of UFC 110 has been the poor performance that Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic displayed in his beatdown of Anthony Perosh, a fellow Croatian fighter who took the fight on short notice. While most fans are acknowledging the fact that Mirko was completely dominant in the victory over Perosh, many writers are down on Mirko for not being able to destroy a fighter at that level in quicker fashion:
Yes, Cro Cop thoroughly dominated Perosh, left him covered in blood and won by TKO, but Cro Cop did less than I thought he should do: The Cro Cop of old would have knocked Perosh out in the first round, not toyed with him for 10 minutes. Perosh, meanwhile, did more than I thought he should do: After taking the fight on just two days' notice, he showed a lot of heart in continuing to fight even after that nasty cut opened up on his forehead late in the second round. (Michael David Smith, MMAFighting.com)
Josh Gross over at Sports Illustrated was a bit more reserved:
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (26-7-2) may have earned the 20th stoppage victory of his career, but it was hardly his most impressive win. Appearing slow and sluggish, he needed 10 minutes to put away Anthony Perosh, who met the veteran heavyweight slugger on two-day's notice.
I'm not going to disagree with Gross in the assessment that Mirko was slow and sluggish. He did look visibly a bit more powerful than in previous outings, but I'm assuming Gross' evaluation stems from the fact that Mirko didn't press the pace enough to finish off a crushed Perosh in the first or second round.
It wasn't an impressive victory in the context of Mirko's past victories. He didn't head kick Perosh into unconsciousness or punch him out with the tenacity we've seen during his PRIDE days. But that's my problem entirely. The expectations from some fans and writers are that if Mirko isn't performing at that level, he's worthless in terms of entertainment value and done with this sport.
But there are some that would beg to differ from those points. Mirko still managed to completely demolish Perosh in the striking department. He quickly moved out of the way of any of Perosh's offense, sprawled effectively, landed heavy straight punches to Perosh's chin, and knocked him senseless on countless ocassions during the fight. The climax came when Mirko carved Perosh's forehead open with an elbow.
Perosh showed tremendous heart, but he didn't exactly help Mirko's cause. Perosh showed poor offensive striking in the face of Mirko's heavier hands. He basically came to the conclusion that trying to punch with Mirko was a bad idea in the first round, and proceeded to backpedal for the rest of the fight... with the ocassional shot into Mirko's sprawl.
Sure, Mirko should have continued bombing Perosh when he had him on the floor. I understand the frustration, but I'm not buying the expectations that Mirko should have charged at Perosh on the feet and opened himself up to the counter. Perosh would have likely failed in countering, but it's a chance in a must-win fight that Mirko doesn't need to take.
History says that Mirko "CroCop" should crush his opponents with head kicks, quick movement, and great K-1 level striking, and all of those fantastic wins from his PRIDE days seem to be a plague for Mirko in this latter stage of his career. He'll never be that fighter again, and there are only a select few fighters in the world that are still operating at a high level from their earlier days. We could even argue that despite Fedor's continued dominance, he isn't the exact same fighter he used to be.
It probably doesn't help that Mirko seems uninterested in fighting, but I'm still under the thought that fans and media are being way too critical in this instance. Mirko has shown his deficiencies as of late, but are we really basing a lot of the criticism on what we think Mirko should be doing in the Octagon? This isn't the PRIDE era anymore.
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Nice write up Leland. I made this point in a fan post but like Nog, Mirko has slowed down. It’s a shame because this sports future stars are built on fights against the past their prime ones. Mirko in my opinion is past his prime. He’s lost a step and we saw this with Gabriel Gonzaga, Chieck Kongo, and Junior Dos Santos. At this point, he can compete with the Perosh’s and Al Turk’s but if he tries to step up to the Mir/Lesnar/Cain/Carwin level, he’ll get slaughtered.
His next fight should be against Nog and depending on if he wins or not, the UFC should make the fight that they have tried to make since signing him, which is Randy/Mirko.
This is the best argument for the Senior Circuit. It’s not that Jack Nickalaus can’t play anymore, he just can’t compete with Tiger.
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I think they should push the Rothwell fight, then push him in against Nog.
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 Feb 23, 2010 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
See after finally seeing the fight, I don’t think the Rothwell fight is a sure win. And you miss out on the Nog fight if he doesn’t win. Mirko isn’t dependable and at least going forward with Nog/Crocop you can put that winner against Couture. Either the repeat of a classic or the fight they should have done years ago.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
No, it isn’t a sure win by any means. It’s actually the perfect fight in my mind. If Mirko wins, he gets Nog. If not, who knows. I was looking forward to the Rothwell fight, and his illness really made everything a downer.
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 Feb 23, 2010 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
I agree that I wanted to see that fight. But with how crappy both Nog and Crocop have looked lately, I don’t see how as a business you can pass on a super fight like that.
I mean, he was supposed to mangle Gabe and ended up twisted on the floor. Was supposed to mangle Kongo, looked completely outclassed. Should have looked better against JDS and was terrible. I dunno, while the Rothwell/Mirko fight is interesting, I say don’t waste it.
Keep Rothwell on the side for Rothwell/Nelson 2. I personally felt that Roy won the first fight and would like to see the rematch.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
Seems odd that in the same sentence you say Nog and CC have looked like crap lately and then call a fight between them a super fight.
by ufc4 on Feb 23, 2010 10:46 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Superfight may be the wrong term. I mean fight’s among legends where you have a story from their days in Pride. They could have met in the OWGP finals but Nog lost to Barnett. It would be a solid second to last fight on any card.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
I totally agree with the legends division kind of idea. The old timers dont have to suffer brutal losses to the new monsters and we get to see great even matches. These legends will always have a place in our mma hearts. I think they deserve to be in the spotlight where they have a chance to put up a good show.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
That’s what I’m saying. Look, the sport sucks because you have to beat the legend to grow your name. The person who finally beats Fedor will be the named the best. But let’s say that happens when Fedor is just about past his prime. Does that really mean anything? Nog has looked sluggish in every one of his fights, except for the fight with Couture. He was almost stopped by Herring. Sylvia was on his way to winning before the sweep/choke. Mir destroyed him. Cain was just too fast.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
I think this post ignores three things in regards to Couture.
1) In order for him to be competitive, his days at HW are probably over.
2) The UFC probably wants to push him as a contender at 205 as much as possible, milk the last little bit of Couture they can.
3) As great a fight as it was, I see zero reason to do Nog/Couture 2.
See, I think that Couture can be competitive at HW…just not against the top tier guys. But fights with other legends are fine by me and a rematch with Nog could be great. Nog looked slow against Cain and I don’t know what else you do with him at this point.
The fight business is a rough one where you can look great your entire career and then one day just be too slow. Happens to everyone.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
While it was my favorite fight of the year, Nog won the last fight with Couture decisively and I don’t think they need to do it again, what with the other possibilities.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
Who else is there for Nog at HW? Gonzaga if he loses to JDS? Yvel? Loser of Mir/Carwin? Only one of those fights that I’d say he has a chance in is Yvel. Mir and Carwin would kill him and Gonzaga would be the favorite (or should be).
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
You don’t make fights based on who has the best chance to beat though. That’s fluff matchmaking and it’s an insult to Nog, his opponent and the sport.
by Worldisart on Feb 23, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No but you try and make fights that are compelling and since coming to the UFC his best performance is against Couture.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:47 AM EST up reply actions
And it was a convincing victory that left no doubt who the better fighter was and left no compelling reason for a rematch at this time other than a desire to see Nog look sharp again.
Okay so we have differing opinions of a rematch. I think of it as two fighters who are completely past their primes putting it all out there and would have been great as a 5 rounder. Even if it’s for the Senior HW belt. I don’t care. My point though is that the younger fighters are just too fast/strong for these guys. Let them go out in Super Fights against past rivals.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
But they did that fight, for those reasons. That’s what the fight at 102 was and that’s a fight that happened at the end of last August. What if anything has happened in the last 6 months that makes that a fight that might see a different outcome?
I don’t understand what you’re saying in this post. Couture has had two fights against fighters at 205 where he looked impressive and his speed was there. I dunno, just my own opinions on who should fight who. Luckily, as fans we can come up with fantasy match ups that may never happen. I just don’t see any other compelling fights for Nog at HW besides Crocop and Couture.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
You’re missing my point throughout this conversation. Yes Couture has those 2 fights, AT 205.
I will reiterate, Nog/Couture happened on August 28th, 2009, and today is February 23rd 2010. What has happened in that time frame that makes this HW matchup in the least bit compelling?
The fact that it allows for two legends to compete and go out either against one of the greats without having young fighters use their names to become stars.
And Couture dropped to 205 for one last run. If he loses in his next fight which will be against one of the top 5 of the division, yes, I can see him going back to HW one last time for the Nog/Crocop fights then retire.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
Sorry, I’m really vehemently opposed to the idea of protecting legacies. I think it’s wrong that just because a fighter is on the downside of his career that he shouldn’t have to suffer a loss to someone on the way up. It’s a disservice to the sport and inhibits the ability of a promotion to build new stars.
I don’t think either Nog or Couture are looking to be protected by the promotion, and if they are, they probably shouldn’t be competing in the UFC anymore.
I’m just not a fan of “passing the torch”. The guy who eventually beats Fedor will have that on his record. But if it happens when Fedor is on the down turn of his career does it really mean anything?
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Sorry, I can’t get behind that mentality at all. I think it’s hanging on to a past that is long gone. Beating past stars is part of the process of legitimizing young, up and coming talent, and if you protect those old stars you’re devaluing the sport on the whole, devaluing their accomplishment and not giving the new young stars a chance for greatness of their own.
Or you’re putting too much emphasis on who they were instead of who they are.
Since coming to the UFC Nog was almost KO’d by Herring, was losing to Sylvia, was stopped by Mir, beat Couture in a War, and was stopped by Cain.
Maybe we should instead start letting these guys go out honorably instead of going to the slaughter. There is no shame in fighting other legends. There is shame in having brain damage because we as fans can’t let go of how great they were when they were younger.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
Look, then those guys shouldn’t be fighting in the UFC, or they shouldn’t be fighting at all.
Are you trying to suggest that Cain’s victory over Nog holds no value? I mean that’s just outright ludicrous and insulting to both fighters.
No, but putting an extremely slowed down Nog against guys like Carwin is insulting as well.
And maybe you’re not reading what I’m saying, they just shouldn’t be fighting the best young guys. Let them fight other legends. Go out gracefully.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
Again, I don’t see how that’s going out gracefully. To me that’s just milking it. If you’re done, then your done. Hang ’em up, go home, teach at your gym, whatever.
If you want to fight, then fight the fights that are put in front of you, accept your losses, celebrate your victories and save ideas like legacies for sports writers and fanboys.
I dont know about you,
I love my legends. There is a point in their careers that age and health cant compete anymore at the top level. Does this mean they have to hang it up? I dont think so. I still want to watch w/o the massacre. I want to give the last glory that they deserve for building this sport.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
Thanks for getting the point I’m trying to make. You look at the amount of guys who made names off of Ali when he was in the twilight of his career. Does beating an slow and old Ali mean the same as when Frazier beat him?
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
Yep, he shouldn’t have been fighting. But he was. And who knows if we’ll be saying the same about Nog in 10 years. You’re the one saying he should still be fighting these young guys. I’d rather see him fight other legends in competitive fights.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
There are a lot of people saying the same thing about Nog.
And obviously we’re going to agree to disagree here. I think legends match and I fear for fights like Couture/Coleman as they are probably more the rule than the exception that was the Nog/Couture fight. And regardless of how I feel or where they are at in their respective careers, in the here and the now and the foreseeable future, there’s no need for a rematch between Nog and Couture.
I enjoyed this discussion. While we don’t agree, I think we both at least have the opinion that we don’t want to see these guys end up a physical mess.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
any Coleman fight is going to be a disaster.
fights i eventually want to see:
Couture vs CroCop
Frank Shamrock vs Sakuraba
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
I’d also like to add
Rumina Sato/Jens Pulver
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
Funny how all these legends all of sudden slowed down the moment they stepped foot into the UFC.
Either the UFC has some sort of power over legends or that there is a difference between the UFC and Pride… use your imagination.
or all those battles in Pride and the fact that they are older. I’m not discussing steroids as there is no reason to believe that Nog or Crocop took them.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
But
Nog was losing to Bob Sapp, Semmy Schilt, and Cro Cop in the early 2000s, and won all those matches. He’s always been that way. Yeah, he’s slower and a more worn down, but he’s held the interim title since coming to the UFC and I think he’s still a fringe top-10 HW
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
At this point though, if he was in those positions he was back then in fights now, he’d get seriously injured.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
All I’m saying is that Nog has never lost the fight until the other guy’s arm is raised.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
I think there is a line between
with what you and redengine is saying. Nogueira is at a stage right now where he can’t compete against the superior up and comers and his only chance at glory would be to fight another guy with the same level. Couture on the other hand can still compete at a high level in 205 and doesnt need this ‘protection’ and he is legitimate stepping stone at the same time threat to a young contender at LHW. But when the time reaches where Couture’s wrestling can save him anymore against the new breed of LHWs, i think its just to give him this even matches against co-legends.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
I think fights with Gabe, Yvel, Roy Nelson, and Stefan Struve are all good next fights for Nog after being so thoroughly knocked out of contention
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
I like the idea of Gabe because you don’t know which one will show up. He’ll either be waaaaaay too much for Nog to handle, or he’ll mentally break and Nog stops him. Yvel just because to me that’s a legends match up. Roy is a good fight but I think would be better served with a rematch with Rothwell. Struve is just waaaaaaaay too green.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
We’ll see how Struve looks after the Nelson fight. He’s got a ton more fights than Velasquez had and Nog was the favorite in that fight mainly for experience. Granted, they have two entirely different styles, but the point remains.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
I think the Nelson fight will be very telling. Either Struve is ready to step up to the Kongo’s or he needs more time to develop.
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by Matthew Roth on Feb 23, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
I think Couture has a far better shot for one last run at glory at 205 then at HW. Without a huge size differential, he presents real problems to everyone he faces.
As for Nog, losing to Cain isn’t the end of the road, and there are more fights for him than just rehashed rematches of fights barely 6 months old. Fact of the matter is, there is no compelling narrative to a second fight between Randy and Nog and I’d rather see the both of them face other challenges, and I don’t think I’m alone in this opinion.
I still think that CroCop just took it easy on Perosh. Why put him in the hospital?
"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock
Well, Perosh probably still had to go to the hospital. To be honest, the ground and pound punching from Mirko was ferocious.
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 Feb 23, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
I was wondering the same thing.
Why bash in the skull of a fellow Croatian who took the fight at the last minute.
Not that I don’t think CC is past his prime, but I wouldn’t discount the above thought having some impact on the event.
the way Mirko did what he wanted, I really think he could have taken perosh out ALOT earlier. I think he didnt want to give anything away and just decided to to take him out with boxing. It seemed like practice for CC.
I thought the same thing
Cro Cop treated this fight like a sparring session and played it safe…nothing wrong with that when your back is against the wall.
"To me, MMA is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other."
by Buster Bluth on Feb 23, 2010 10:27 AM EST up reply actions
I completely disagree, when your back is against the wall is definitely NOT the time to play it safe.
by ufc4 on Feb 23, 2010 10:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't think he played it safe
I think he played it smart.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think there's a difference in this case.
Why get Randleman’d again?
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Well
Saying he “played it safe” might insinuate some sort of fear on Cro Cop’s part, whereas not doing anything unnecessary is great for a quick turnaround. Like you said, no point in getting Randleman’d.
Also, the Fighter’s Only article sheds some light on his hesitance to “go for the kill”.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Mirko and Wandy
They both fought smart instead of going for reckless abandon. They both needed wins and they got them by sticking to solid game plans and not putting themselves in vulnerable positions. Not every win needs to be a highlight reel. Imagine if they both went for the KO by being uber aggresive and the both lost…we would be sitting here saying they’re washed up and they’d both be wary of being cut. now they get a win under their belts and a little confidence and breathing room so that they afford to be more aggresive the next time.
"To me, MMA is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other."
by Buster Bluth on Feb 23, 2010 10:26 AM EST reply actions 12 recs
^^this^^
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Feb 23, 2010 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
his head's not in the game
he keeps his hands at his chest and just boxes, throwing meaningless kicks without much chance of causing damage. he’s flat footed and would have been slow to react if he’d fought a fighter who gave him something to react to. sorry mirko, but you’re not at the top of the division. it would be nice to think you still capable, but i’ve seen no indications as of late.
His sprawl was good
Either that or the shots were bad. But I remember seeing at least one or two shots that were decent and Mirko sprawled pretty fast.
Mirko sprawled faster than Perosh could shoot in many instances.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Feb 23, 2010 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
The only way Cro Cop builds on his future is by fighting Cain, Mir, Nog, Brock, Carwin or a rematch with JDS that would be highly unlikely.
Other than that the best way I can see him going is by fighting Todd Duffee, or Pat Barry, and building their careers off him.
I just don’t see Crocop competing with the top echelon of HW talent because they all have very established ground games.
Therefore, I see a Nog rematch being the best potential match up for Cro Cop, preferably sometime in May or June.
You guys seem to be ignoring the fact that, yes, while Perosh was obviously at a huge disadvantage coming in on such short notice, on the flip side of the coin, Mirko had only two days to “prepare” for a completely new opponent, with an entirely different skill set.
Perosh is a BJJ Black Belt, and 70% of his victories are from submission. This completely contrasts with Rothwells octagon strengths. Put yourself in Cro-Cop’s shoes. You need a win in the worst way, 48 hours before the fight, instead of a fighting a lumbering puncher, you have to face a much lighter, high-level grappler. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t be at least somewhat hesitant to charge at him and throw high kicks. The one thing Cro-Cop doesn’t want to do, is be put on his back. Keep it standing, and keep it conservative. He has pummeling Perosh with his hands, why risk being taken down when you don’t need to?
Trying to find some info on Perosh, he’s got a 2nd degree blackbelt from the highly accomplished Carlos Machado.
Also, according to wikipedia (lol) Rampage and Randy Couture were asked to step in for Rothwell… can anybody back that up?
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
I agree.
Woops. I’m tired of “Fans” hating on great fighters who preform well but don’t get a massive knockout.
"One should always be cold minded and remember that a ridiculous incident may occur any time."
by At Least On Paper on Feb 23, 2010 10:55 AM EST reply actions
The thing I’ve noticed about Cro Cop lately is his almost too humble attitude towards his opponents. He just seems very very respectful to them almost like he doesn’t want to go in there and destroy them like he used to. He doesn’t use his kicks like he used to and seems content with just going in there and trying to edge out a win without using his skills to make a statement with a signature win.
Only thing I’d say is that he should throw the body kick way more. It was arguably his most effective strike in his glory days.
It’s really tough to tell anything about Mirko from this. Anderson Silva didn’t look “good” against Leites- more than a few people said he should be out of the top pound for pound rankings after that performance. Then came UFC 101 and the humiliation of a top 205er.
I really don’t like MDS’ writing.
That body kick is what will get the hands to drop, opening up the window for the LHK everyone is clamoring for. Hell, the body kick can end the fight ala Ibragim Magomedov
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, with his kicking power it quickly becomes a pick your poison kind of situation.
One can only absorb so many of those body kicks to protect the head before it becomes too much on its own.
http://www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=3997
Mirko ‘CroCop’ Filipovic said that he did not ‘go for the kill’ when he had Perosh cut and struggling.
"I admire Perosh for accepting the fight. There were much better fighters there who turned it down but I understand why; they did not have time to prepare. [But] I am very sorry that I had to hurt Perosh. I tried to fight with as much consideration for him as I could. I even avoided the ground because I am 7, 8 kilos heavier than he is.
Filipovic added that UFC president Dana White had questioned why he did not finish Perosh off. "I just couldn’t do that to him when he was so bloody," he said.
It is a shame
that Cro Cop did this. While it was a gentlemen move, fighters like Penn, Lesnar, Anderson, would have seen blood and gone for the kill. This is why Cro Cop will never be champ again.
Yeah, but more often than not they won’t throw in John Halverson against BJ Penn. Cro Cop won’t be champ again (though a naive part of me still hopes) because there are just too many young, hungry, athletic guys in front of him.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Feb 23, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
I like it.
And only because it literally seemed like at any moment Mirko could’ve finished him viciously, especially the punches on the ground.
I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.
you also have to consider cro cop and perosh are both croatians
cro cop also felt bad about having to fight another croatian and gave high praise to perosh for showing ‘croatian courage’
Own the Podium became Owned on the Podium. What a failure.
Cigano, it is your time to avenge your master's loss!
Making the world a better place, one dirtbag at a time.
I believe he is still uncomfortable fighting in the cage. After countless years of fighting and dominating the ring he has stepped into a new fighting environment, while having to fight athletes in the most competitive mma organization. I personally enjoyed watching CC, i thought he looked fast on the sprawl and his hands were clearly much faster then Perosh. It was smart of him not to throw reckless kicks and risk being taken to the ground. While he will not be the champ again I strongly believe that we as mma fans will get to see several more entertaining and competitive fights out of the old Croatian.
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick some ass....and I'm all out of bubblegum.
Perosh refused to engage in the stand for the entire fight. See Anderson vs Leites or Anderson vs Cote for what a fight looks like when you match a counter striker against someone who won’t engage.
People forget Mirko has over 100 fights in his career. 45 in boxing, 23 in Kickboxing and 35 in MMA, his first k-1 fight was in 1996 against Le Banner, Mirko has been extremely active in his career and has fought the best kickboxers and MMA fighters in the world for nearly 15 years, and he’s still in there fighting off the long lions of the division.
How you can criticise a man like Mirko with the career he has had is beyond me. Yes he’s reclusive, yes he lacks the drive after 15 years and over 100 fights, yes his skills are on the decline, but so what? The guy has inspired perhaps every MMA fan, MMA fighter, Kickboxing fan, Kickboxing fighter in the world with his skills, his style, his life in the special forces and representing Zagreb as a politician. The guy is a legend of the sport and his career has inspired so many, I can’t understand the almost viscious level of criticism against him in the media, especially from Kevin Iole, Ariel Helwani, Steve Cofield and the MMA live team like Florian and Anik where they actually laughed at him as though he was the butt of a joke.
Let me ask you, which highight do you show someone who is getting into MMA? Ahead of all others it’s Mirko Cro Cop’s, even though Kenny Florian and MMA live like to almost brush him aside nobody gets someone into MMA by showing them a Kenny Florian highlight. The guy has put on awe inspiring performances his whole career, has given us some of the best performances in the history of MMA and K-1. He has shown people what it is possible to do in a fight and has broken boundaries for kickboxing in MMA.
The guy is a legend and it’s about time people stop crying and give the guy the respect he has earnt. His 15 year career is one the most impressive in the sport, to still be trying to get in there with the best says alot.
In the first minute of the fight Schiavello and Sefo talk about Cro Cop’s boxing career. They say – “45 professional boxing fights to his credit”.
Check his wikipedia too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cro_cop
In a recent interview he talked about getting to his boxing roots again and mentions his boxing career prior to k-1 (i.e. pre 1996) as he said he was becoming too predictable using his kicks in his fights. I’ll try and find it.
Sorry, in the first minute of this fight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLyGp-oX6eI&feature=related i said Sefo, but it’s not him commentating.
Anderson vs Cote for what a fight looks like when you match a counter striker against someone who won’t engage.
Cote refused to engage?, there is a difference betweein fighting smart and going chin first in like Forrest never lump in Cote’s strategy with Leites.
thank you
That event was one of the few I’ve had to watch at a bar, and although I didn’t agree with Cote saying “I was fucking him up” or whatever to his friends after, I thought he was doing well. His leap in feint, out, and back in punch seemed to be confusing Silva…too bad it messed up his knee. I think Cote caught way too much hell for that fight, he came to fight but wasn’t being stupid about it. That was the fight that really made me dislike Anderson, the way he acted when Cote’s knee blew out was classless IMO.
I'm the best ever. You're the most average in a minute.
And NEW UFC Welterweight Champion of the World.....Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy!
by slapjaw ackrite on Feb 23, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
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