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Around SBN: The Animated GIFs Of January

UFC 115: Mirko Cro Cop Talks Retirement - "I Am Now Too Old for This"

Image via UFC.com

In an interview with jutarnji.hr:

"In addition to winning the Pride Grand Prix Finals, [UFC 115] it’s my favorite fight of my career [but] most of the training proved to me that I am now too old for this…I don’t know about a new contract with the UFC. I believe that I gave this game a lot, I fought with the greatest fighters," Cro Cop said.

"For 20 years I lived this life and now I have no motivation for the fight, no mental strength for all the Spartan training. I am no longer so hungry for victory. I will not stop training, but if I am asleep I’ll stay in bed and practice an hour later."

"I have some [seminar] contacts around the seminar circuit in the U.S., Australia, Europe and even Brazil," Cro Cop said.

-- transcribed by fightersonlymagazine.co.uk

Ufc_115_button_medium

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If he sticks around, he’s bound to end up with more Ls and more disappointment. Better to seek retirement now – maybe in a couple years have a final fight in Japan or something.

by VirtualBalboa on Jun 14, 2010 10:56 AM EDT reply actions  

Couldn't agree more

This is an incredibly sharp perspective to have on one’s own career. Especially a sport overrun with ego/adrenaline-soaked delusions of self.

by asa on Jun 14, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Ego made this sport.

I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand

by vivero on Jun 14, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Also, if CroCop does indeed retire, he will have left on a good note. Everyone at my house who saw the fight and CroCop finishing Barry was cheering like crazy. Also, there was a glimpse of the old CroCop especially with the flurry that dropped Barry on the third round.

by chrisbboy82 on Jun 14, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

We've know this for awhile Mirko....

We love you man, but we seen that fire go out after Kongo blasted you in the balls like 10 times. Hang it up, you have nothing to be ashamed of.

by JimJoe on Jun 14, 2010 10:58 AM EDT reply actions  

The fire went out before that....

I think after winning the GP he had accomplished all he needed to.

He looked off against Eddie Sanchez, and never really looked like his “old self” again. The closest he’s looked to his Pride days was that last round against Barry when he unloaded

by xfreekx on Jun 14, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

I can't help but rec a panda...

Just too damn cute.

I AM A MAN AND I LIKE PANDAS!

by truck on Jun 14, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

Well now that you took the initiative, I can follow along...

Yeah? Remember last year when Lebron won the MVP? Who took home the real MVP? You know, the one the comes with a damn championship?

by zakkree on Jun 14, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I had this one too, but I don’t like my Panda too scary.

I'm a lover not a fighter

by spectaa on Jun 14, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I think that is the face a panda makes when it is taking a rough shit.

by truck on Jun 14, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

More like Cro Cop Panda

…and I am Pat Barry learning a very expensive lesson.

I didn’t expect to make payments on flesh…

by truck on Jun 14, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Godless killing machines!!!!

I get more rec's then a Toyota!

by DayGeaux on Jun 14, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

He should hang it up. Love the guy, but going out with a W is the memory I want of him.

I’m glad he won, but let’s face it, he looked slow and a more rounded fighter would have finished him early.

I can’t think of a much better way for him to go out at this point.

by BJJDenver on Jun 14, 2010 10:59 AM EDT reply actions  

He's lucky Barry broke his hand on his jaw...

This fight would have ended in the first if Barry was able to throw that right again.

by gavingavinkindgavin on Jun 14, 2010 11:00 AM EDT reply actions  

come on now should of could of would of, just stop speculating. Maybe Pat should of not done so much little boy fan boyism. Like he was some 9 year old kid meeting Derek Jeter outside Yankee Stadium or somoething. Not to mention is cardio which was just gone about 1 min into the 2nd. Barry has no one to blame but himself I don’t want to hear shit about that hand. Bottom line Mirko beat his ass and then choked him out with a good old Cro-choke !!!

by Shocbomb on Jun 14, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know but he said that he felt he had a few years left in him

and that he was still fresh in between training sessions which was a sign that he was not too old.

by Grey Suit on Jun 14, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions  

pretty much par for the course with him since he signed with the ufc. can recall this happening a few other times as well.

by woooburn on Jun 14, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

Anyone else think maybe he was making sure he got his bonus first? It struck me that maybe the whole “don’t be stingy Dana” was him basically saying that his contract is up, so if he Dana wants to makes sure he stays with the UFC he better open his wallet – starting with a sub of the night bonus (and maybe some other lockerroom bonuses for finishing the fight). Once he had that in the bag he could reveal his plans of retiring…just a thought.

Pyle’s triangle shoulda been sub of the night

by Disco1Stu on Jun 14, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed on Pyles triangle. In no way did CC deserve that

by SplitBreast on Jun 14, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Actually,

I thought he sounded done in the post-fight presser.

by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Jun 14, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

The youtube videos don’t show it, but, if you were watching live, someone asked Mirko about his future with the UFC, and Mirko said he’s staying with the UFC but alluded that it might not be in a fighting role. I can’t remember the exact quote.

by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Jun 14, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

agreed. i think he could beat randy if he’s able to land as many strikes as he did in the barry fight.

by woooburn on Jun 14, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

If it is the last time he fights I think it was a great way to go out.

It was a very fun fight and both fighters put on a show. A great way to exit the game.

Same goes for Liddell. He may have lost, but the fight was very entertaining and he lost to s class act in Rich Franklin. Could you imagine if it was Tito that KO’d him… :S

by truck on Jun 14, 2010 11:09 AM EDT reply actions  

It was nice to see Mirko go after him with full confidence when he was throwing those kicks and combinations. I was so happy I stood up.

and for Liddell, it was kind of sad to watch, but it’s what he wanted.

Tito would’ve spit on him and called him something unintelligible. He’s really good at kicking people when they’re down. I also don’t think he can hang with any of the top fighters in the lhw division anymore and I can’t wait till someone demolishes him.

by outcircuit on Jun 15, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions  

Joe Rogan <3’s Cro Cop

— gif by smoogy

by Nick Thomas on Jun 14, 2010 11:11 AM EDT reply actions  

Anybody know what he said thier?

I get more rec's then a Toyota!

by DayGeaux on Jun 14, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions  

spoke in croatian, and then made a joke asking for submission of the night (which seems to have worked).

by woooburn on Jun 14, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions  

oh… just realized you may have been asking for the translation of his comments. nevermind!

by woooburn on Jun 14, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah I should’ve been more clear. Any Croatian’s in the building?

I get more rec's then a Toyota!

by DayGeaux on Jun 14, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

He said Dana shouldn’t be stingy and give him sub of the night

by dreamers_12345 on Jun 14, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Rogan doesn’t like it when guys take the mic from him, but he probably didn’t care about it this time.

by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Jun 14, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'll admit, I shouted "PRIDE NEVER DIE" in the bar when he got to monologue.

If you're not watching Treme, you're a bad person.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Jun 14, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

Good for him...

Knowing when to get out is the sign of a mentally fit guy.
He has had an awesome career and I hope he sticks around the sport outside of being a fighter.

by olimario on Jun 14, 2010 11:21 AM EDT reply actions  

Exactly, good for him.
Good way to go out with a submission victory.

- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!

by VeeisAnimated on Jun 14, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions  

He’s smart enough to know when to go out on top.

by Reciprocity on Jun 14, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions  

I'm not believing this just yet..

The last time a Croatian paper came with news on Mirko, it was total bullshit.

by grein on Jun 14, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions  

i think it could possibly be a negotiating ploy, but you never know. best of luck to cro-cop either way.

by B.W. on Jun 14, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

He's made similar statements in the past, if I recall

Either way, I think he’s in a pretty good position. If he goes out, it’s on a win. After this last showing, he could potentially have a couple more interesting match-ups: Randy, Kongo or Gonzaga rematch, Rothwell, maybe Duffee (just to put an unusual one out there).

by DrFernando on Jun 14, 2010 11:41 AM EDT reply actions  

He said almost the same exact thing previously, about not wanting to live the lifestyle, etc.

When you're rich you don't write checks - Randy Moss

by s.r.genovese on Jun 14, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

Must be pretty exhausting

 coming down from the training camp, and the rush of the fight, hard to feel motivated for anything, let alone alone another fight.

by DrFernando on Jun 14, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Anyone else think this is just a way to sign a bigger contract?

by rask4p on Jun 14, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions  

So many panda jokes. Goddamn, if I had woken up earlier I could have been the first one to make them!

by dreamers_12345 on Jun 14, 2010 12:02 PM EDT reply actions  

I am so dam glad to hear this news today I really am. Becasue I was actually disapointed he did not retire after he took the Mic from Rogan. I really thought he was going to do it then but this will do a few days later.

     .He could not ride off into the sun set much better then this. He goes out on a memorable win and gave his fans one last moment to cheer for him and feel so dam good. I was so so afraid he would go out like Chuck or so many others in prize fighting bloody and Ko’ed looking dead on the mat. That is just never the last picture any fan wants to remember of there favorite fighter. So thanks Mirko I wish you all the best

by Shocbomb on Jun 14, 2010 12:38 PM EDT reply actions  

As a Cro Cop fan

I always want to see him fight again, i’m thinking this is to get more money for another contract.

"The left hand brings death, but the right one even I am afraid of."-Mariusz Pudzianowski

by Dr.Glaze on Jun 14, 2010 2:34 PM EDT reply actions  

I’d love to see Mirko v Nog/Gonzaga/Kongo II

Hopefully this is just normal post-fight CC stuff, but we’ll see. Either way I’m happy for Mirko and will always be a fan.

But if you are stupid, you will be beaten with a stick - Proverbs 10:13

by Ominous on Jun 14, 2010 2:55 PM EDT reply actions  

Don't let the door hit ya!

Thank CHRIST!
He won a fight against a one dimensial b level fighter with one broken hand and a broken foot.

by derreckla on Jun 14, 2010 2:58 PM EDT reply actions  

I loved CroCop and I was more excited to see him in the cage when he was announced by Dana White more then anyone, but his time is OVER

by derreckla on Jun 14, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

I hate myself for laughing at this…

by BJJDenver on Jun 14, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

do you have a

bunch of tribal tatoo’s, where only foiled Affliction shirts and tell everybody you meet that you “train mma”?

by blueballlefty on Jun 14, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

should be “train UFC”. Just saying…

by BJJDenver on Jun 14, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh man....

Chuck and Cro Cop’s final fights on same night?

I feel dizzy….

The world is so dark…

by ADAMantium on Jun 14, 2010 4:14 PM EDT reply actions  

I wouldn't

be surprised if there was something major lost in translation here, if he is done this is a great fight to go out on, he actually looked a little like the old Cro Cop in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. He is one of my all time favorites even though I’ve had to watch a lot of his old fights on video. If he is done the only thing I can say is WAR CRO COP

by blueballlefty on Jun 14, 2010 4:19 PM EDT reply actions  

This is the first time he’s had a win streak in the UFC and now he wants to retire??? I hope the UFC gives him more fights. Hell i’d even watch him fight Rothwell….

"The left hand brings death, but the right one even I am afraid of."-Mariusz Pudzianowski

by Dr.Glaze on Jun 14, 2010 4:22 PM EDT reply actions  

He will go out when he wants to go out but anyone paying any attention at all would of seen this coming for a while now. Even if he does decide to come back I doubt he’ll be around more than one or two fights.

by who me on Jun 14, 2010 4:39 PM EDT reply actions  

I thought he'd want to pay Ganzaga back

before he throws in the towel. Either way I’ll stand by my one of my favorite fighters ever

by Drizzy on Jun 14, 2010 5:03 PM EDT reply actions  

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