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DREAM: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Yoshihiro Nakao fight booked for March 15

cro cop
The road to redemption for Mirko Cro Cop will begin on March 15 when the former UFC fighter and Pride FC veteran will take on Yoshihiro Nakao during the debut event for the Japanese-based DREAM promotion, according to the Croatian's official blog.

Here's the snip:

"A little over an hour ago I was contacted by DREAM officials. They informed me that my opponent on March 15 will be Yoshihiro Nakao from Japan. It was very important for me to fight as soon as possible and I'm happy that DREAM was able to find the opponent for me."

Cro Cop -- the 2006 Pride FC Open Weight Grand Prix Champion -- was recently released from his UFC contract after losing two fights in three attempts against opponents he was expected to throttle in convincing fashion. In fact, the lofty expectations prior to his Octagon debut were that he would capture the heavyweight title in as few as three fights.

It didn't happen with back-to-back losses to Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo.

His departure from the UFC has been reported on both sides as amicable. And Cro Cop has expressed an interest to return to the Octagon as soon as possible once he can get a few wins under his belt.

Nakao is perhaps best known as the man Heath Herring knocked out before their fight even began because of a kiss from the Japanese fighter during the staredown. That bout was ruled a no contest.

He last competed at Pride 34: "Kamikaze" in April 2007, submitting Edson Draggo with a neck crank in round one.

DREAM comprises officials from Fight Entertainment Group and Dream Stage Entertainment, which were responsible for the Pride FC promotion. The Cro Cop fight will anchor the lightweight tournament that includes some great talent. To check out the most recent fight card click here.

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Let’s see what this guy can do now against this fighter I mean! this kisser.Crop Cop is the type of fighter that wants hit ,but does not want to get hit because it affects him mentally. He had been destroying people in Japan over the years and this is the place he wants to fight.I doubt we will see him fight here again.When you are used to smashing people the way he used to do it ,it is very difficult to accept a knock out like that one.On his mind he was the only one that could do it.Who knows maybe we will see another kiss.

by YSA on Mar 6, 2008 12:37 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

1st ?

can we watch this on tv ?

by LongIslandguy on Mar 6, 2008 12:37 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yeah I want to know if we can see this.

by Toms Bombs on Mar 6, 2008 12:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

The days of Crocop are over, it’s pretty upsetting that the king of striking could not make it with the big dogs, and had to go running back to Japan where he could freely kick heads off of the un-talented Japanese MMA fighter. He will not be back in the UFC.

by yoububg on Mar 6, 2008 12:51 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Let’s see what this guy can do now against this fighter I mean! this kisser.Crop Cop is the type of fighter that wants hit ,but does not want to get hit because it affects him mentally. He had been destroying people in Japan over the years and this is the place he wants to fight.I doubt we will see him fight here again.When you are used to smashing people the way he used to do it ,it is very difficult to accept a knock out like that one.On his mind he was the only one that could do it.Who knows maybe we will see another kiss.

mirko has been knocked out plenty of times,its not new to him he has lost and come back.this fight should be a easy warm up for him to get back on winning ways and hopefully will face fedor or some other tough comp and fight in the ufc again.remember when chuck lost 2 in a row everyone said he is done wandy has lost 3 in a row dan has lost 2 in a row is it over for them, no.

by roy on Mar 6, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

1st ?

can we watch this on tv ?

too slow

by BLOodyMEss on Mar 6, 2008 1:14 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

1st ?

can we watch this on tv ?

No one gives a shit who posts first, that pisses me off, whats the F’ing point

by MwM on Mar 6, 2008 1:18 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

why even talk about this punk

by chucksux on Mar 6, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

there are two perspectives on this issue with crocop that i can see as a fan and also from the business view. As a fan i’am not to happy that CC has to fight this guy but its not CC’s fault when Sefo, Mighty mo turned down the fight against him, so if CC’s next fight can be against a more famous name then all is forgiven. But from business view CC had to make a choice due to that if he looses a third fight in UFC then he is done so from that he made a smart choice, fight a few times make some money and get a second chance, so as a business point of view CC did a good thing by leaving.

by kyle on Mar 6, 2008 1:23 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Is Crocop due to come back to the UFC, if he regains his success overseas?

by Kimura by Fedor on Mar 6, 2008 1:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Crocop was a great fighter…WAS. He just hasn’t looked the same fighter as he was in PRIDE. It’s hard to say what the cause was but he didn’t intimidate anyone in the UFC and he wasn’t aggresive at all. He was tentative which is something up until he came to the UFC we hadn’t seen before. I thought leaving the UFC the way he did was insulting to a lot of his fans. He doesn’t seem to be someone to walk away just because the road is a little more difficult than what he’s used to. It’s a shame he’ll be religated to fighting subpar competition and raking in large amounts of money just to appear in Japan. I hope he loses…that would be some nice redemption for his former fans.

by Buster Bluth on Mar 6, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’m sure he’s already started on his cycle by now. He will be good and juiced up for this fight.

by jimmy_dean on Mar 6, 2008 1:39 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

i sure hope that a few wins in Japan can rebuild his confidence,cause when hes on his game he is 1 of the most devistating strikers in all of MMA.this is a guy who went the distance with fedor the supposed best HWT in the world.
but then again he didnt train in a cage until after he lost to
Napao G.G. IMO fedor is scared to step into the cage.maybe they are both better off being big fish in small ponds.

by the levi on Mar 6, 2008 1:43 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

why even talk about this punk

You are just as annoying as Overrated-Chucky. Or did you just change your name?

by bnf on Mar 6, 2008 1:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I think between his defeats to Fedor and Gonzaga, the book on how to beat cro cop was out. keep him backing up and you’re in good shape. whenever kongo kept him backing up he looked pretty safe.

by Fidel Cashflow on Mar 6, 2008 1:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’m sure he’s already started on his cycle by now. He will be good and juiced up for this fight.

Can’t stand you steroid guys. You don’t like a a certain Pride fighter so it’s, cycle this, cycle that. Just because Cheik Kongo says it, doesn’t mean you should.

by jess on Mar 6, 2008 1:56 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

how could happen so mirko. all the hype around him and this is what is has come to again. maybe lesnar will be joining you soon.

lesnar vs. cro cop in a “DREAM” match.

by kavedaddy on Mar 6, 2008 2:02 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

In short Cro Cop is one of my old favs. since his K-1 era… he wasn’t the best but he did very well, he had some great fights in Pride too but many were crap, his UFC days was few (thank goodness for that!).

He have had his fun I guess, after winning the Pride GP over Wanderlei Silva and Josh Barnett it went to his head, his ego was enormous and I think he was going to pack it in after this evening, after signing for UFC I thought WOW!, Mirco in the Octagon that’s cool!
But then again, it could be great if the fighter stick to both his training and his fighting plan, I mean some weeks he trained almost once each day and some he didn’t train at all (some UFC fighters train almast all day, 2-3 times a day!).
Mirco was so crap in the UFC, even in his debut, if Eddie Sanchez had believed in himself and not back pedaling he could’ve won (I said could!).

If Mirco likes to get paid for fighting cans all his life, that’s his problem… and he’s not even at Top 20 HW… he’s just a can kisser!

by JonnyBoy on Mar 6, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Mirko Cro Flop!!!

by Getrawbc on Mar 6, 2008 2:32 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

just because a guys down on his luck when hes on the top you all are kissing his ass when he flops then its omg i cant believe you guys had faith in him.You all make me sick.

by Joe on Mar 6, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

anyone know where to see a clip of the Herring ordeal?

by tallimeca on Mar 6, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

CC will learn from his UFC ordeal, come back stronger and more prepared. Rampage said in his post match interview (Marvin Eastman) that being in a cage instead of a ring was much different and very daunting. Even as a CC fan i gotta say he seemed too cocky and very lax, maybe he started to believe in his own hype. Dont think hell make the same mistake twice!

by krazyivan on Mar 6, 2008 4:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Anybody want to make a bet that Mirko Cro Cop looks bigger in Dream than he did in the UFC?

by "Mr. NC-17" on Mar 6, 2008 4:03 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Anybody want to make a bet that Mirko Cro Cop looks bigger in Dream than he did in the UFC?

I’m sure it’s just because the ring is smaller.

by PW on Mar 6, 2008 4:14 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Mirko Cro Flop!!!

That’s a good one. Better than Mirko Cro Crap. I’m still a big Crocop fan but it is funny.

by RobH86 on Mar 6, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I can see cro cop having success in his return to japan but i still dont see him having much success in the octago the ufc has top fighters despite what some of you might think and the fighters in the ufc will bring the fight to anybody and crocop does not like when his oppenents brings the fight to him he likes to be in control and when he is he is dominant but when his oppenent is in control he gets dominated.

by matt on Mar 6, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Heard Cro cop turned down the offer to fight Mike Russow and now he signs to fight this Japanese turd. Cro cop is a pussy. Would have been a great fight. Russow the Chicago Cop vs the Croatian Cop. Guess not

by d on Mar 6, 2008 4:56 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

he looks like a HW BJ Penn

by Martin on Mar 6, 2008 4:56 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

he looks like a HW BJ Penn

i was about to say the same thing lol

by mexican dude on Mar 6, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

i was about to say the same thing lol


BJ also has a history of kissing opponents (hughes 1). Must be the cheeks, lol

by Martin on Mar 6, 2008 5:15 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Can’t stand you steroid guys. You don’t like a a certain Pride fighter so it’s, cycle this, cycle that. Just because Cheik Kongo says it, doesn’t mean you should.


I’m not a steroid guy your boy Cro Cop is and it’s not that I don’t like him it’s plain to see that he was taking something in Pride or he wouldn’t have been a bust in the UFC. Wanderlei Silva is one of my favorite fighters who is a FORMER PRIDE FIGHTER. So do I think he was juicing, yes and just because I say what I think doesn’t mean I’m hating or I don’t like the guy. Everyone is entitled to an opinion you know.

by jimmy_dean on Mar 6, 2008 5:40 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I know cro cop, Im feom croatia, and cro cop is my neighbourd

by peki on Mar 6, 2008 5:41 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

he is a great guy

by peki on Mar 6, 2008 5:41 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Just imagine if Rampage had been juicing in Pride. Man he would have been a beast.

by jimmy_dean on Mar 6, 2008 5:44 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Cro Cops name has surpassed his talent. He was a very good fighter but hasn’t looked good in quite a while now. I hope for the sake of the sport he can get back to the great fighter he once was but it probably won’t happen.

by bigrude15 on Mar 6, 2008 6:02 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I know cro cop, Im feom croatia, and cro cop is my neighbourd

Ok

by yoububg on Mar 6, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

CC will learn from his UFC ordeal, come back stronger and more prepared. Rampage said in his post match interview (Marvin Eastman) that being in a cage instead of a ring was much different and very daunting. Even as a CC fan i gotta say he seemed too cocky and very lax, maybe he started to believe in his own hype. Dont think hell make the same mistake twice!

Already did make the mistake twice.

by yoububg on Mar 6, 2008 6:15 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

i wonder if hes using steriods again?

by dcsoldier187 on Mar 6, 2008 6:29 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I hope he fixes his head. I still think he can literally kick some as$ if he gets a few wins under his belt.

by Mahde on Mar 6, 2008 6:32 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

why even talk about this punk

who r u talking about, r u friends with chuckisoverrated, u guys r pathetic

by keystone on Mar 6, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Just imagine if Rampage had been juicing in Pride. Man he would have been a beast.

so cro cop and wandy where juicing but not jackson,none of witch have ever had a dirty test or any proof.look at all the guys in the ufc that are juicing.why imagine that rampage was juicing just say he was.man rampage was so steroided out and still could not beat wandy or shogun.

by roy on Mar 6, 2008 7:10 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

mirko has been knocked out plenty of times,its not new to him he has lost and come back.this fight should be a easy warm up for him to get back on winning ways and hopefully will face fedor or some other tough comp and fight in the ufc again.remember when chuck lost 2 in a row everyone said he is done wandy has lost 3 in a row dan has lost 2 in a row is it over for them, no.

Well said. And speking of juice no one looks like they take it more than Kongo.

by the truth on Mar 6, 2008 8:11 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

who cares….I don’t give a rat’s ass…I wonder if he is gonna fight with his tail between his legs….BIG PUSSY…

by 518 milk chicken on Mar 6, 2008 9:41 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

if he losses it smells like retirement

by daniel on Mar 6, 2008 10:54 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

i know i am going to sound stupid, but i have been out for a few days, what happened wit cc fighting mighty mo? thanks in advance

by keystone on Mar 6, 2008 11:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

after losing two fights in three attempts against opponents he was expected to throttle in convincing fashion****
Throttle… hahaha

by Luppers on Mar 7, 2008 12:24 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

DREAM should change its name to NIGHTMARE with a loser like CroCrop fighting there now. Have a good time in the minor-minor leagues loser!

by DaGrizzlyBear on Mar 7, 2008 1:24 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

with Fedor seeming to wana come to UFC man o man CC will win a few fights and then come back to UFC mark my words. This is now exctining and i just hope UFC signs Arlovski too.

by Sherdg on Mar 7, 2008 1:39 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Here is the thing, only way CROCOP is coming back to UFC is if he becomes the DREAM Heavyweight Champion.

by Mike on Mar 7, 2008 1:45 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Micro Crow Crap

by JonnyBoy on Mar 7, 2008 4:26 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Anybody want to make a bet that Mirko Cro Cop looks bigger in Dream than he did in the UFC?

You really think Cro-Cop juice’s???

I don’t think he would ever stoop that low….

by Stagger-Lee on Mar 7, 2008 7:45 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I hope Mirko can string together some wins, and return to UFC the same old Mirko I remember..

by Stagger-Lee on Mar 7, 2008 7:47 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

with Fedor seeming to wana come to UFC man o man CC will win a few fights and then come back to UFC mark my words. This is now exctining and i just hope UFC signs Arlovski too.

Cro Cop will NEVER be back in the UFC because he knows he can’t win there…plus I doubt Dana wants that loser back

by DaGrizzlyBear on Mar 7, 2008 8:35 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Cro Cop will NEVER be back in the UFC because he knows he can’t win there…plus I doubt Dana wants that loser back


he said he is coming back, and Dana said he does want him back

by keystone on Mar 7, 2008 9:15 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Cro Cop better win via KO. I want to see the Cro Cop that I’ve seen videos on Youtube, not the UFC crappy Mirko.

by Griffinfan05 on Mar 7, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Nakao looks like a fat BJ Penn in that photo

by kickbox on Mar 7, 2008 11:34 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

YAWN Mirko YAWN against Yawn…. Can’t even be bothered to discuss the BUM

by MrAngry on Mar 7, 2008 5:33 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

The days of Crocop are over, it’s pretty upsetting that the king of striking could not make it with the big dogs, and had to go running back to Japan where he could freely kick heads off of the un-talented Japanese MMA fighter. He will not be back in the UFC.

Kongo’s a “big dog”?

by Wenenus on Mar 7, 2008 10:34 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

You really think Cro-Cop juice’s???

I don’t think he would ever stoop that low….

Well he was definitely bigger in the UFC than he ever was in PRIDE. He must have juiced in the UFC.

by Wenenus on Mar 7, 2008 10:36 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

too bad
crocop didn’t wanna cut to 205 – some guys are kind of on the cusp of different weight classes- crocop, hendo.

 although randy seems to do OK as a lighter HW. although it’s hard to imagine him beating a barnett type… although again ( i debate myself) he beat gonzaga, although although although…… i’m not sure if he’d beat GG more than 1x out of 10 as the nose breakage, impaired GG’s breathing. whether it was an intentional dirty trick that couture knew he could get away with as (shit happens when 2 guys crash down) or just in the cards. it’s hard to imagine couture wearing down GG who still broke coutures arm with a kick. Anyway as much as i tink GG is the real deal and is a major player in the HW future, he’s not as relentless as barnett. barnett is funny cause he really looks like and overgrown schoolboy bopping up and down when he’s this tireless massive guy with catch wrestling shite that no one even knows about…. fedor does alright for ‘a little shit’ (tim sylvia) too.. ha ha ha.

i think predictions on the match ups are cool and predictions on the outcome are for stupid armchair mma artists, but just for fun i’ll say kissy man tries to catch a leg, CC keeps kicks low, and just when kissy guy stops waiting for the Hi kick…. b a n g. then as brains spill to hte canvas crocop slaps on a flying knee bar to a still warm corpse, just to show his improved sub skills. ha ha

by patrick gamil on Mar 8, 2008 9:36 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

crocops back i can smell it

by belfort_fan on Mar 8, 2008 3:27 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

cro cop will kill him in the first 20 seconds i think.

by cro cop nakao on Mar 10, 2008 2:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i see that some of u guys don’t know much about cro cop
he had problems with breathing.. after fight with kongo he had nose surgery so now u’ll see the best of him/ and yes u will see him back at UFC. kongo is gonna explode frome steroids

by suki on Mar 16, 2008 6:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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