After calling out Mirko Filipovic back in November, Brendan Schaub prepares to prove he's a contender by defeating the PRIDE legend, but a revitalized Mirko Cro Cop vows to put Schaub in his place at UFC 128: "Shogun vs. Jones" on March 19 in New Jersey. Mirko Cro Cop sounds undeterred and has recaptured the fire that made him one of the sport’s most feared strikers:

"I'm not especially familiar with Brendan Schaub. For me, he's just an opponent like any other. His six KO's in the first round in seven fights doesn't concern me at all, because he's just a rookie. He's good, he's young, hungry but I will show him and will prove (to him) that he's just a rookie in the sport."

"I understand he's a young guy and he's trying to get as much attention as he can get, so he talks a lot of stupid things and a lot of trash talk, but I don't care. I will try to finish him as soon as possible."

"He can try (to knock me out), but at the end of the fight, his head will be taken off. Schaub won't survive three rounds with me, I will defeat Brendan Schaub."

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Videos via Fighters Only.

CroCop training for Schaub (part one of three).wmv

CroCop training for Brendan Schaub part two

Mirko CroCop training for Brendan Schaub part three