The MMA world lost two legends of the sport tonight. I got a little sentimental, so I wrote a little something.

[To the tune of Don McLean's immortal American Pie]

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that Mirko used to make me smile.
And I knew if he threw his kick
It would come up lightning quick
And, maybe, they’d be KO'ed for a while.  

But Gonzaga made me somber
With every replay I’d remember.
Right leg got all twisted;
My eyes, they were misted.

I can’t remember if I cried
When Mazzagatti stopped the fight,
But something in me was inspired
The day Cro Cop ... retired

So bye-bye, great Croation guy
Took his talent to the limit,
But his limit was nigh.
And all his old fans were drinkin’ whisky and beer
Singin’, "this’ll be the last time I cheer.
"this’ll be the last time I cheer."

Did you write about Why you Fight?
And do you have faith in your boxing might,
If Freddie Roach tells you so? 
Do you believe in your dojo?
Can Marv improve your cardio?
And can you teach me rubber guard, please bro? 

 Well, I know that you still love to fight
`cause I saw Joe Daddy that one night.
You licked blood off your gloves.
Man, I miss that passion and love!

He had a legendary iron chin
With nearly indestructible skin,
But somehow he couldn't win
The day BJ ... retired.

 I started singin’,
"bye-bye, great Hawaiian guy"
Took his talent to the limit,
But his limit was nigh.
And all his old fans were drinkin’ whisky and beer
Singin’, "this’ll be the last time I cheer.
"this’ll be the last time I cheer."

Now for three years they’ve been on a slide
The fight game changed in one massive stride,
But that’s not how it used to be.
When Cro Cop fought for PRIDE and DREAM,
And BJ licked blood off his seams
We heard a roar that came from you and me,

Oh, and while Jon Fitch was on the ground,
The Prodigy took his back and frowned.
The judges weren't prepared;
No winner was declared.
And when Cro Cop read the book of Barry,
The two produced a YouTube star,
As they sang dirges in a car
The day they both ... retired.

I started singin’,
"bye-bye, two Hall of Fame guys"
Took their talents to the limits,
But their limits were nigh.
And all their old fans were drinkin’ whisky and beer
Singin’, "this’ll be the last time I cheer.
"this’ll be the last time I cheer."