UFC Chatter: “Cro Cop” May Face Couture With Win Over Kongo
“He made a lot of mistakes, he did not train in the cage, he let his ego get the better of him. Usually when he returns from a defeat, Mirko is very angry and good. I am convinced that we will see a completely different Cro Cop. I must admit I can hardly wait for the fight because I think it will be his first real fight since arriving in the UFC. I still do not know who his opponent will be is he wins against Kong [at UFC 75], but a fight against Randy Couture for the title is possible. Anything is possible here.”
–UFC President Dana White comments on the future of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in a recent interview. He was also rather to the point when asked about rumors of “Cro Cop” facing Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria if he is victorious over Cheick Kongo at UFC 75 stating “we never said that”.
Thanks to MMAFrenzy.com reader “J” for the heads up.Â
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A fight with Cro Cop is what was supposed to happen int he first place. Regardless I think Cro Cop being too one dimensional will spell doom for him. Couture via ground and pound in the second round.
I don't think Cro-Cop deserves a shot with a win over Kongo. Is that saying Kongo gets a shot if he (doubtfully) beats Cro-Cop. That isn't right. Make Cro-Cop fight Arlovski, or Monson. Make the #1 contender a real #1 by beating a somebody like Gonzaga did.
Do not under estimate the ability of Cheik Kongo. Cro Cop may get knocked out again.
If Cro Cop loses, which is unlikely then he should fight Arlovski or we should be Kongo fight Arlovski. All these match ups are interesting.
I agree that Kongo should not be just be looked past, he is just as dangerous as any other heavyweight and if Cro-cop underestimates him like he did Gonzaga, it will be another short night for the head kicker.
Furthermore, if they come to an agreement with Arlovski, I really hope to see him again either of these two or Gonzaga. All of which would and probably will be amazing match ups, I'm really looking forward to the next few PPVs.
Another thing, the only guy who stands a chance of stopping Couture right now is Fedor, sorry but Mirko has lost to lesser fighters and I couldn't see him making it out of the 2nd round, like Red pointed out
cheers.
I am not looking past Kongo but I personally see Cro Cop as the favorite is all. I think a Cro Cop vs. Arlovski match would be great even with a Cro Cop win because Couture is out until 2008 they could fight in late 2007 and still be ready for an early-2008 title fight.
Fedor is obviously the most likely to beat Couture but there are other fighters (like Cro Cop and Nogueira) who stand a chance against him too.
If not Cro Cop who do you think should get the shot?
I think maybe an eight man tounament to find the next challenger for Randy would be sweet. It could be held over 3 or 4 events, then we would see who deserves it. You could have Noguiera, Cro-Cop, Barnett, Monson, Sylvia, Vera, Kongo, or any other heavyweight involved. I think the reason why Barnett should be considered a contender is the UFC has to respect the Pride fighting ratings of fighters and Barnett has been considered not only by Pride and myself, but the world of MMA to be one of the top heavys. He has beaten Noguiera before you know.
SCOTCHYDOW; that is a good idea, but it would too long. Give the title shot to someone who would sell tickets and sell PPV. Also give the shot to someone who deserves it; the fighters that comes to mind is Arlovski, Minotauro and Fedor. Well the UFC doesn't have Fedor, and Minotauro was not impressive against Herring. Arlovski beat a top ten heavyweight in Werdum, so Arlovski seems the most logical.
hey guys….although arlovski does deserve another shot at the title i do beleive that cro cop shouldnt get a shot at the title…i see him winning against kongo but i beleive he should have to win atleast one more fight b4 challenging couture…look how easy randy took out gabriel…and how easy gabriel took out Mirko…chanin reaction…and randy will do the same thing…clinch on the cage cro cop wont be ready for that…as far as minotauro i dont beleive he deserves a shot either…heath almost got him and he squeaked the victory in ma books…but thats only 1 win…he dont deserve a shot just yet…let arlovski fight he has a punchers chance against randy,,,,,,
How about Arlovski vs. Vera/ Cro Cop vs. Noguiera. Winners face each other, Winner faces Randy Couture. He doesn't have to fight again for what, 6 months? Do it Zuffa, it's fair, and what a money maker. I would imagine Sylvia can have Vera's place if he beats him, and Kongo for Cro Cop.
You bring up some good points ravine. I think the biggest threat to Couture's belt int he UFC is Arlovski. Arlovski is so well rounded. I don't think submission guys like Werdum and Minotauro can beat Randy; look at Gonzaga his bread and butter is submissions and he lost.
I think a Couture vs. Arlovski stylistically is a tough fight for Couture. Arlovski is great in sambo, has submission skills, is in tip top shape and has some sick hands. Arlovski is as versatile a fighter in MMA. I just wish he would bring his A game to every fight and not his B game.
I could see Nogueira getting the title shot just based on his wins in Pride, but I could easily see the winner of this fight having a top contender bout with Arlovski (pending a contract agreement) or against the winner between Silvia/Vera.
I wouldn't say any heavyweight has a really good chance against Couture (everyone has a punchers/kickers chance), but between the half dozen or so top contenders, we could see some amazing matchups. I just hope Couture makes it to Fedor at least before he throws in the towel again, one last run through the heavyweights until he loses, maybe a rematch, then that'll be it I think.
That is some solid analysis KingCreep. If Couture retires not fighting Fedor, it would be a tragedy. How crazy would it be if Couture beat Fedor? I wonder if the only type of fighter that can beat Fedor are wrestlers. Lindland tried to take Fedor down and he is a middleweight and Fedor cheated by holding the ropes.
Randy if he takes the fight to the ground, Fedor could be in trouble. In the cage there are no ropes for Fedor to grap. He could grab the cage like Gonzaga did and get a point deducted.
I THINK CRO COP AND COUTURE WHOULD BE A GREAT FIGHT.CRO COP,S LOST TO GONZAGA I THINK WAS A FLUC HE WAS NOT READY AND TOOK THE FIGHT TO LIGHTLY CRO COP IS A GOOD FIGHTET AND THOUF AS NAILS DONT UNDERESTAMAIT HIM IM REALLY HOPPING THAT THIS FIGHT WILL COME ABOUT IN THE NEW YEAR.PSGSP IS THE MAN HE WILL GET HIS TITLE SHOT AGAIN AND I HOPE ITS AGAINST HUGH,S GUST TO PROVE THAT HIS WIN THE LAST TIME WAS NOT A FLUK AND THE UFC PRES SHOULD REALY CONCIDER BRINGING THE FIGHT TO MONTREAL IT,S TIME FOR CANADA TO GET SOME.THAT WHAT I THINK.