UFC 67: Cro Cop won't attend pre-fight pressconference

by MMAmania.com on Feb 1, 2007 10:17 AM EST in UFC News

Cro Cop
The UFC debut of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic continues to be shrouded in mystery.

According to FightNetwork.com, the Croatian superstar will not participate in the pre-fight press conference and will only make an obligatory appearance at the UFC 67 weigh-ins on Friday prior to his bout with Eddie Sanchez the following day.

Ever since the UFC lured him away from PRIDE with a six-fight, two-year contract late last year, Cro Cop has yet to be make any significant appearances or public comments (to American media, anyway).

Aside from heaping praise from Joe Rogan and Dana White on television — and a nice article from Thomas Gerbasi the other day — the Cro Cop coverage has been virtually nonexistent.

I understand that he'll do all the talking he needs to do inside the Octagon. And, he doesn't have the greatest media track record.

It still doesn't make sense.

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Hi, just wanted to let you know that he does speak English.

- Frank

by Frank on Feb 1, 2007 11:38 AM EST reply actions

Thanks, Frank. He’s not fluent though, correct?

by UFCmania on Feb 1, 2007 11:59 AM EST reply actions

He speaks English extremely well and definitely fluent in the language.

by Reading Is Fun! on Feb 1, 2007 12:18 PM EST reply actions

I wonder if Mirko will do the signature move and grab the mic from Rogan, circle the Octagon a few times and in a few words tell the fans that he is going to come back and kick Sylvia’s head off.

by Duke Dick on Feb 1, 2007 12:24 PM EST reply actions

Fixed, thanks.

by UFCmania on Feb 1, 2007 12:27 PM EST reply actions

I wonder why he’s not making any appearances. His profile has no photo either and he’s the only one left to have it not be there. When I heard he was going to headline UFC 67 it sounded like a dream. Dana better pay him good or he’ll leave before his second fight

by zach on Feb 1, 2007 7:58 PM EST reply actions

Dana’s a bit tentative with Mirko because he wants to make sure his contract with him is airtight. No loopholes whatsoever. he wants to make sure Mirkko has undivided attention with this. Mirko is known for having wandering eyes when certain avenues are getting closed on him from the inside. Dana wants to make sure he can get away with what he wants to as much as possible without trying to hotshot Mirko to the title.

by Royal B. on Feb 2, 2007 8:47 AM EST reply actions

yeah Royal B, thats smart thinking…Who knows if Mirkos gonna be a ufc guy like Arlovski or Chuck, as of right now, he seems like his alliances will always be with Pride.I want to see these guys come over from Japan, but if they come over just to try to prove that Pride fighters are better, then go back to Pride, i will be pissed. Rampage is a different story, hes here as long as Dana wants him. But even if the UFC gets guys like Wanderlei or Shogun or Fedor youll always gonna wonder if they want to be in the US as much as we want them here….thats why i hope Dana just buys out Prides corrupt asses, then we wont have to worry about it

by MMA Dude on Feb 2, 2007 3:24 PM EST reply actions

Dana can’t buy Pride as long as Mr. I is APB material.

by Royal B. on Feb 2, 2007 7:40 PM EST reply actions

Does it really matter if the guy speaks English? No. Dana White signed the hottest fighter in the world right now. This guy knocks fighters out like NOBODY else. The UFC needs heavyweight excitement and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovich is as exciting as it gets. As far as keeping a low profile…the fireworks, the flashing lights and the answer’s will be on display for the entire MMA world in the octagon. My prediction is Mirko Cro Cop knocks everyone out.

by 2 dukes on Feb 2, 2007 11:13 PM EST reply actions