Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic May Be Calling It A Career Following His UFC 103 Loss To Junior dos Santos
Saturday night at UFC 103, the MMA legend Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic took to the Octagon again, in hopes of proving that he was still the fighter we saw in Pride, and that he could perform in the UFC. His opponent, Junior dos Santos, beat the once feared striker to the punch throughout the fight, before the bout was called off two minutes into the third round. Following the loss, Filipovic spoke to the Croatian website Jutarnji.hr about the fight, and his possible retirement.
Maybe the ones who have said that I’m done are right. Obviously, I can’t break my mental block in the Octagon. Besides, I’ve been training like a spartan for 20 years now — my body is worn out. The years caught up to me, I’ve been worn out…. (Junior dos Santos) won that fight and would have won it by decision. Simply put, he is younger, more hungry, more aggressive. He wanted to win a lot more….
The mat was slippery like glass. I almost fell down trying to do the left high kick. But I’m not looking for an alibi. This was not the performance the public would pay for. I don’t feel the hunger anymore. I started playing it safe, I’m not ready to take risks.
I would like to thank everybody that supported me and stood by me and everyone who helped me to prepare for this fight. I’ve been living a military life for 20 years now. Getting up at 6 a.m. and having physically challenging task up to 8 p.m. I want a normal life. I’m entering a cage and thinking about fishing in Privlaka. You can’t win that way. Maybe I should’ve quit in 2006 after I won the Pride Grand Prix.
In regards to the end of the bout, despite apparently waving off the contest in the third round, Filipovic offers another account of the ending of the fight saying, “Dos Santos punched me and tore my eyelid. Blood and sweat completely blurred my vision. I stood like a blind man in the cage. At one point at the end of the fight I confused the referee and my opponent.” He then went on to say that he did not in fact call off the bout, but that it was the referee’s decision instead, though he did say that it was a good stoppage.
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Can’t half-ass in this sport, if your heart isn’t in it it’s time to go. I hope if he retires it’s a real retirement and not a Brett Farve situation. I wish him well and hope that he’d consider an ambassador role for the sport in Europe.
I didn’t see the fights Saturday due to being hospitalized with flu so if anyone can tell me a place to check out the fights I’d appreciate it.
Hey, you can watch the fights at mmalinker.com
go on MMAShare you can see the fights there
thanks guys
“Hospitalized?!”
Skrew the MMA for a sec, lets all just wish you smooth sailing and a quick recovery.
In 2009, the flu is nothing to mess about with.
Peace.
Thanks man, I’m recovering now. Should be back up in another day or two. Dehydration sucks!
best wishes to you mirko in whatever you wish to persue, it has been great watching your fights over the years!! Long Live Croatia
Wow an honest evuluation(sp?) Of ones self.
evaluation
Yeah some guys are never able to admit it… cough cough shammy shams cough cough…
Dang, I didn’t know about him tearing his eyelid. Sounds painful.
I hate to see the guy go but I don’t want him to stick around if he is just going to be a punching bag/ stepping stone for hte rest of his career.
It’s definitely a bummer for Cro Crop to step down, but he’s past it, and at least he recognizes that. If they guy isn’t hungry and when he steps in the cage all he can think about is fishing, well that’s not going to turn out well, and explains some of his performance Saturday night.
I work with a guy that ‘thinks about fishing’ everytime we go into a fire…it doesn’t turn out well either.
I would imagine.
…especially if your not Firemen…
Yeah I hope he walks away. He was a killer in Pride, he just doesnt seem to have it now. 2006 Cro Cop puts a clinic on Dos Santos IMO. Santos is a pretty good talent, but Cro Cop a few years ago was just an animal.
I read in a longer version – that was in ‘question/answer’ format – after Mirko said that he DID NOT waive off the fight or verbally submit, he unabashedly admitted that at that point he was already beaten.
Mirko is a cool cat, and will be hopefully be remembered for his Pride days and not the folly that was his brief UFC stint that was 3 years too late.
I read that version as well, and though he says he did not call off the bout (it may not have been his intention) his actions and what he said in the octagon were essentially him calling off the fight.
yeah, for sure. I can just see people saying that he’s making excuses or stuff like that. You know how it can be. I was just hoping to make it as clear as possible that Mirko knew that he had lost, regardless of what he may or may not of said in the ring.
When your eye fills up with blood and sweat, I would assume it is human nature to immediately say “I can’t see”…which in mma means “I can’t fight anymore.” or “I quit.”
Yeah I understand. I probably should add that to the article, in all honesty.
… and just did.
Crocop’s main problem is that he just isn’t big enough to take on the caliber of heavyweights that have hit the MMA scene in recent years. He is fighting a losing battle against guys who out weigh him by 20 to 30lbs. Whether it’s Gonzaga, Kongo or Dos Santos… all 3 guys were bigger, younger, more powerful and far more aggressive.
I would have liked to see Mirko drop to light heavy a couple years ago. The weight cut of 20lbs should not be a huge issue as most fighters cut that weight with ease. Mirko would be huge at that division and would give many guys nightmares. I don’t know why he never considered the drop in weight-class but I would have loved to see him end his career as a light heavyweight taking on other former greats like Liddell, Ortiz and maybe even a final bout with Wandy.
Perhaps he’s never cut weight, and a 20 pound weight cut for someone who has never cut weight could be quite daunting. Although with just a change in his diet he could probably lose a lot of it.
well in all honesty that weight cut may have been more difficult for him than some think with all he does back in Croatia. Not to mention he does say that maybe he should have retired after winning the Grand Prix. So if his heart has been kind of not in it for that long then a weight cut is almost impossible.
I hate it but it’s time to go CC. I loved him in Pride but he just can’t seem to get it done anymore. It seems as if he realizes this and that’s good….for him at least. Not for the fans that want to see the old CC from Pride.
I hate to admit it but I was disappointed to the point of almost crying Saturday night. My hero is gone……
It’s time for him to hang it up. He had a great long career as a world class kickboxer and Mixed Martial Artist. He’s lost his hunger and these big young fighters want to make a name for themselves off him.
He is still maybe top 20 in the world I would say but he can’t compete in the UFC.
Mirko will be missed I think he should just have a K-1 match every once an awhile if he still wants to fight if not he has given the sport a human highlight real of knockouts so thanks mirko for all the great fights
I think he should give a run at Light Heavy weight, giving up 20-40 pounds to younger and stronger guys is alot to ask anyone, I mean just give Light Heavy Weight a go it cann’t hurt to try. If you cann’t hang with Guys your own size then retire.
Honestly, if he does have another fight again, I would have always loved to see Cro Cop vs. The Iceman. They are both past the prime, but could still land that shot. It would be a legends match-up, would love to see it happen (four years ago more than now), but I think it would still be exciting.
Mirko Cro-cop is one of those rare guys that has legendary status without doing it in the UFC. Although he was never able to get in the title picture or do anything special in the UFC Cro-cop still has had a great career and has fought the best guys in the word and IMO has helped the sport grow worldwide, the dude is a legend and is one of my all time fav’s but his time has come and he should go out with his head held high because he has a accoplished a lot and has made millions of fans, the dude is a 1st Ballot Hall Of Famer in my book.
good call there Marvel
ps- I can only imagine the mental anguish the avatar is causing you…
you have no idea buddy
I’m hoping that Mirko CroCop enjoys a long and pleasant retirement.
He had a tremendous career in PRIDE, and reportedly served as both a some sort anti-terrorist commando and in his country’s national legislature.
Thats quite a life for a man I believe is shy of 40. Lots of wear and tear on his body.
I wish he finds that special fishing spot, with a cold one and a good book, and finds peace after MMA…
I believe he hit the nail on the head when he said maybe he should’ve retired after winning the Pride Grand Prix. Since coming to the UFC he’s looked like a different fighter and now we know why. He’ll go down as one of my fav fighters as well, just think it sucks whenever these legendary guys go out on a weak note because they push it too long.
I’ve always thought he hadn’t been the old Cro-Cop since he first came to the UFC. If the fire’s not there, it’s definitely best he steps away before he gets hurt.
i honestly see him smashing at 205