Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic returns at UFC 99 to face Mustapha Al-Turk
by Jesse Holland on May 18, 2009 3:30 PM EDT
118 comments
Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (24-6-2) — who is on a speedy recovery from knee surgery following his technical knockout win over Hong Man Choi at Field’s Dynamite!! on New Year’s Eve — announced a possible return to the UFC this afternoon against Mustapha Al-Turk on June 13 from the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany.
From the Croat’s official blog:
I decided to fight in the UFC again, because of the stronger competition in the heavyweight division. My next opponent will be Mustapha Al-Turk. I didn’t do well in my first three appearances - I wasn’t myself. By returning to the cage I want to prove that I can still fight at highest level, no matter when or where. It’s hard to talk about concrete plans, but I would really like to fight at least three times this year. I wish to fight against quality opponents and to fight my way up to a title shot but for now, I’ll focus only on my next fight and after that we’ll see what’s going to be on the menu next. I want to say thank you Mr. Dana White for your interest and for an invitation back to the UFC. I owe you a lot from our first deal, and I’ll make it up to you.
The Croatian striker had fallen on hard times since his tournament-winning performance over two years ago, losing two of five fights and looking listless in the process. He started things off with a bang, stopping Eddie Sanchez in his UFC debut, but a highlight reel knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga and a rib-crushing defeat to Cheick Kongo put his UFC career on ice.
Cro Cop vowed to one day return and finish what he started (and few believed him). Now he looks to make good on that promise with one last run at heavyweight glory.
After two wins in Dream (and a no contest with bitter rival Alistair Overeem), the former Croatian Cop elected to have knee surgery to correct a nagging injury and now declares that he is free of the physical and mental distractions that have plagued him over the past few years.
And a dominating performance over Al-Turk would go a long way to prove it.
Al Turk — who was originally slated to face undefeated American Top Team (ATT) heavyweight Todd Duffee, fights out of the famous London Shoot gym in the United Kingdom.
He came up short in his debut against Cheick Kongo at UFC 92 after a successful run in Europe on the Cage Rage circuit. In fact, he has six wins in seven attempts for the promotion and was riding a two-fight win streak before getting dismantled at "The Ultimate 2008″.
He is a pretty well-rounded fighter with serviceable boxing and solid grappling skills -– good enough to earn him the British Cage Rage heavyweight title.
UFC 99 will be headlined by former middleweight champion Rich "Ace" Franklin taking on ex-PRIDE smashing machine Wanderlei Silva in his middleweight debut. Heath Herring and Cain Velasquez as well as Mike Swick and Ben Saunders are also expected to hook ‘em up.
For more on UFC 99 click here.
0 recs |
118 comments
Email
Print
Comments
I got to admit, I’ve always been a fan. I got cro cop winning!
by kevin on May 18, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve always been a fan of his too. I just hope the second time is the charm for Cro Cop.
by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on May 18, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Loving all the strikers on this card. I expect KO fireworks in pretty much all the main card bouts. This could be like UFC 95 with better talent.
by Jeremyjackson on May 18, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t see Al-Turk winning this at all, but I am surprised Cro Cop is back in the UFC so fast.
by DSmith on May 18, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we all are in our own way. I must admit though, I never thought we’d see Cro Cop’s return to the UFC. Good news.
by DJ on May 18, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
with wandy, cro and heath on the card they should change the name of the event to “ufc 99: restoring pride”
by Danza Macabra on May 18, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hope they also bring back Rich clementi and Vitor Belfort.
by Syd[a.k.a."The Negation"] on May 18, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Finally a worthy cro cop news instead of the same old i’ll fight soon and knee surgery shtick.
by NameNotRequired on May 18, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is kind of wierd. Before I went to bed last night I was thinking where all the talk about Cro Cop returning around UFC 99, 100, and 101 went. And behold today I get my anwser.
by DB on May 18, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to see Cro Cop fight Dos Santos.
by RyanHobbs on May 18, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
- BEST POST FROM THE ABOVE COMMENTS IS: ******
DANZA MACABRA
by RedDog on May 19, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m really happy that Crocop wants to take a second crack at the UFC. I’ve always liked Crocop and was extremely disappointed when he didn’t do well last time.
“I want to say thank you Mr. Dana White for your interest and for an invitation back to the UFC. I owe you a lot from our first deal, and I’ll make it up to you.”
I love that he has this attitude. I appreciate that he’s willing to accept responsibility for his poor performance and feels a sense of obligation to perform well for the UFC.
He’s a class guy and I hope he is successful this time around.
Also, I think it’s cool that he’s going to be fighting in Europe for his first fight back in the UFC.
by RealDrew on May 18, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree and I hope that he does well this time around in the UFC.
by Shadyone33 on May 18, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course he’s gonna win. Al Turk has nothin’ but toughness. And toughness won’t get you anywhere if it’s Crocop’s shins that you’re gonna be eatin’. Ask the MAnic Hispanic.
by Syd[a.k.a."The Negation"] on May 18, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
``I decided to fight in the UFC again, because of the stronger competition in the heavyweight division``. Here`s a HW that has fought the best and for him to say the UFC is the strongest competition shows how far the HW division has come since the Sylvia day`s. A lot more merit in his opinion?
by Beaver on May 18, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hes probly just gunna get fucked up and retire for good
by JG on May 18, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RIGHT LEG HOSPITAL, LEFT LEG CEMETARY! cro cop ! cro cop!
by ronald on Jun 12, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well at least he won’t be coming in on very high expectations………..
by Dragon on May 18, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am actually happy to see him come back to UFC,I hope he can get back to where he was ,also another plus is this will probably help UFC get Alistar Overeem,you know them two hate each other .
by scott on May 18, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that is true, I also hop mirko does well I was a very big fan the first go around he let me down though :-(
by Dragon on May 18, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
do I have to really say…I told you so!!!!!!!!! lol
by john on May 18, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t get it? What did you ever tell me
by Dragon on May 18, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, John has told everyone. You should know this!
by RealDrew on May 18, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, John has told everyone. You should know this!
by RealDrew on May 18, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
john posted this news about 2 months ago,so he technically told us
by scott on May 18, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
does john ever hurt his shoulder reaching so far patting himself on the back? its a serious question.
by Egads on May 18, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope, why should he? if you called stuff constantly, would you be silent?
by kevin on May 18, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I give John credit for getting the scoop on these things in advance, but it’s really annoying when someone says I told you so everytime.
by RealDrew on May 18, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah i give john,DSmith,Robert(1)and NNR credit for telling me this morning that CroCop was done!It’s also,funny that i don’t see you guys express yours real thoughts of Mirko on this thread! ;-)
by Alpha Male 360 on May 18, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too funny lol. JUST posted that on he thread below.
I really hope he’s got his head on straight again, a devistating Cro-Cop will really mix things up.
by Tom on May 18, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hell yeah, i hope if he pulls off one of his headkicks they pan the camera around to all the heavyweight fighters in attendance. Id love to see Gonzagas reaction.
by medecine balls on May 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh this is huge but i wonder how cro cop will do after his knee surgery, after watching his training video its clear to see that he has lost some of his explosiveness with the kicks. However he is still a dangerous striker and carries knock out power . he is a better striker than Al-Turk ,but at a disadvantage on the ground. I see cro cop winning this by first round tko
by andrewb on May 18, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow CroCop is back!
I really really hope it goes better for him this time, i will be rooting for him to put Al-turk in a bodybag with his high left!
by Americana on May 18, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I heard rumors, but I wonder how this slipped under the radar so close to the event? Whatever… I hope he can smash a few cans for our viewing pleasure. :)
by BNF on May 18, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I also liked how humble he sounds like he owes something to UFC,maybe that will be some extra drive to rediscover his past self,I would like to see him do good in UFC
by scott on May 18, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He doesnt owe the UFC shit, i think he just wants to please his fans. WAR CROCOP
by medecine balls on May 18, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He owes the ufc a shit ton. He signed a huge contract, as a matter of fact I think it was the biggest contract in ufc history at the time and he came in and fucking choked so yeah he owes them a little bit.
by Dragon on May 18, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he was talking about the huge contract he got and the fact the UFC made him out to be the next champ and he looked like dog crap,so yeah he does owe the UFC alot
by scott on May 18, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay yeah i forgot he got such a huge contract, youre right. sorry im just so excited, always been a huge fan.
by medecine balls on May 18, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s only 34. So if he’s physically OK, he still has about 3-4 years before feeling the age wall (Couture notwithstanding).
by ftg314 on May 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hahah Randy kinda ruined the age number guys should quit at, he makes everyone else look bad.
by medecine balls on May 18, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because he does HRT which I don’t agree with but I still can’t dislike Randy.
by RobH86 on May 18, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
YES!
Is UFC 99 free on spike for us in the US?
by chris on May 18, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
fuckin right !!!!!
WAR CRO COP!!!!
by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 18, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the best news I have heard in a long time! First, Al-Truk then bring on Couture!
by bryce on May 18, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank you MR. Dana White?
Great. He’s talking like he just became another Dana’s Bitch.
by Alex on May 18, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
u are wrong here, Dana may be a ass, but he doesnt give fighters a second chance that fast. he did with cro cop, because he knows Cro cop wasnt in his element and knows Mirko will perform under the “do or die” pressure.
by MMA040 on May 18, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is just being respectfull Alex, hardly being his bitch.
by Nick J on May 18, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw it coming, cant say I thought it would happen this quick.
This is frickin awesome news.
Cro-Cop needs to get his rematch with Kongo. Kongo was talkin noise after Cro-Cop left. Lets do it.
by Craig on May 18, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cro Cop, Wandi, Herring Parlay here I come, LOL. Cro Cop is just what this card needed, now I am really pumped for 99, I can’t wait for this card! I wonder how short notice he took this fight on, a 4 week notice is no good but I’m glad to see him back in the UFC.
WAR CRO COP
by O damn he got caught on May 18, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good call. GOod to see Cro COp back in the UFC.
by ndnman on May 18, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This seems SOOOOON…Hope he’s right for this. A loss to Al Turk and Mirko is going to be in a very lonely place.
by Maynard on May 18, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WOW gotta be great to have tickets for UFC 99 and getting this news out of nowhere a month to go to the event.
by fonx on May 18, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think ticket sales for 99 and eventually PPV needed this. good move. I hope he does well, wish him the world. Hope its not too short notice.
by hardhat on May 18, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
NIIIIICE! Please CroCop – give us all an old sweet KO!
by DownUnder on May 18, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hell geah! now hopefully i can see the match ive always wanted! Crocop vs Couture!!! Damn you Gonzaga for ruining it in the first place!!!
by Adam on May 18, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
iS this the mustafa guy that had his elbow snapped? If so i would love to see him get kicked in the head…
by What? on May 18, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
no that was a fight at 205 against brian stann, al razak if I remember correctly
by hardhat on May 18, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sure he’s the dude kongo cut up way his elbows
by ruan-fiy on May 18, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve always been a fan. I got cro cop winning!
Niiiiiiiiiice……………
This seems SOOOOON…
WOW
by riba on May 18, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I cant stand those efing names…so i hope cro-cop rips his head off clean!!!!!
by What? on May 18, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You can’t stand a Cockney for having an Arabic name? Shows how small minded you are.
by David W-S on May 18, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can tolerate that he has arabic descent, but I cant condone Cockerknees
by PanicZoo on May 18, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
anyone know what happened to Duffee? injury or the UFC just came up with a better opponent?
also, is this fight going on the Main Card?
by wagnerav on May 18, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
From the looks of this thread; wouldn’t it stand to reason, that maybe, just maybe, they came up with a better opponent?
by O damn he got caught on May 18, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if they really wanted to replace the weaker opponent with a better one, they would have scratched Al-Turk and not Duffee. that’s why i’m asking.
by wagnerav on May 18, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I came looking for the exact same reason wagnerav did, Duffee is a hell of a prospect and would have provided a much bigger challenge for CroCop.
by Michaelthebox on May 18, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
O dang’s right, they just figured out a better opponent, exactly what happened when they scrapped the T.Silva-Griffin fight and switched A.Silva in thiago’s place…Better fights Joe Silva thinks, but T.Silva-F.Griffin ain’t that bad either. But I ain’t passin’ up on Anderson Silva fights.
by Syd[a.k.a."The Negation"] on May 18, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Super happy to hear this WAR CROCOP!!!
by Khaos_Warrior on May 18, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can’t wait for this — huge fans of Cro Cop! We even named our dog Mirko!
by Althea on May 18, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My boy is back !!!! Hope we see the Mirko of old!!!!
by Rob on May 18, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ufc website still has al turk vs duffee
but if cro cop is back i don’t see why it would be a prelim
best case is swick vs saunders will be bumped to a prelim
by bryant on May 18, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Are you kidding, swick saunders fight of the night.
by PanicZoo on May 18, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Swick/Saunders has to stay on the main card, it’s going to be fireworks. I’d move the Davis/Hardy fight before the Swick fight, but Hardy will stay because the event is in Europe. They’ll Move the Fisher/Uno fight to the prelims.
by Jeremyjackson on May 18, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blah, screw “Killa B” I can’t stand that guy, don’t care if swick wins or not either. I’d rather see Fisher vs Uno.
by O damn he got caught on May 19, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow great news, I hope he doesn’t disappoint. My expectations are lower because of last time, and after seeing him get dominated by Overeem…
by theCloser on May 18, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
good stuf. i say he wins in devastating fashion but i just dont know if he can rekindle his old ways…
FUCK IT il go out on a limb – CRO COP IS BACK.. BE AFRAID! BE VERY AFRAID!!!! :P
by Randy for Couture on May 18, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
this is awesome… and unreal… can’t believe he will be back so soon
by MMArk on May 18, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cro Cop has been rumored for this card ever since it was announced in Germany. The initial rumors were Cro Cop vs. Couture. This doesn’t surprise me at all. It sounds like a major marketing coup since Cro Cop is a huge star in Germany. UFC can’t lose here.
by YouveGotGold on May 18, 2009 5:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kinda brilliant on the UFC’s part. I am sure they get a much better end of the contract this time around and people will want to see if Cro-cop has gotten back to his old ways. It’s a win-win, and a very shrewd business move on the UFC’s part (most-likely).
by clayton on May 18, 2009 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Win or lose, I applaud Crocop for coming back. Didn’t think he’d ever return to the UFC and definitely not this early.
by Sahara7 on May 18, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone know how many fights he has been signed for? And will he be on the main card?
by Bryce on May 18, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Awesome news, totally took me off guard. Cro Cop was a massive disappointment in his original UFC run so hopefully he’ll return close to his Pride form. Can’t see Al-Turk lasting the first round, it should be an easy win for Cro Cop. Mirko will be a massive fan favourite in Germany, Al-Turk will get booed out of the building because of the English-German rivalry.
by David W-S on May 18, 2009 6:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
not really a fan of mirko but i hope for his sake people stop hitting him in the nuts, he’s had some rough luck haha
by markg on May 18, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Al-Turk?…. LOL well if CroCop doesn’t win that bum he really should retire.
by MrAngry on May 18, 2009 6:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really hope Crocop gets either Nog or Randy after this. Preferably Nogueira because they don’t like each other.
by RobH86 on May 18, 2009 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really think he should go to lhw he is a real small at 220
by phlicutioner on May 18, 2009 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UFC has wanted CroCop on this card since landing the UFC in Germany. His popularity over there is unrivalled. It’s good for political reasons. Germany doesn’t want the UFC there, but with CroCops Croatian Parliament ties, it will ease the adverse reactions to them being there. It has taken so long to announce, because it was unsure if Mirko would be 100% healthy in time. And I think UFC has been pressuring him to drop to 205. He wants no part in that from my understanding.
What this means is, we the fans are the real winners here. Win, lose, or draw, Mirko’s fights are always exciting, and his staredowns are worth it alone. All of a sudden the UFC HW division looks pretty damned stacked.
by RU486 on May 18, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I believe in Cro Cop he will come back strong!!
by Gina's triangle chokes dummy :) on May 18, 2009 11:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
why is he still fighting in heavyweight? he fights at like 220 max, definitely should cut down to 205
by quidnunc on May 18, 2009 11:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Syd you suck – all you say at work is Clementi this, and Belfort that – both washed up fighters!
by SydSucks on May 18, 2009 11:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UFC 99 is going to be stacked! I am going to be in Europe at the time and was going to go to this event. Now, this fight is a bonus. I am so happy.
by aman on May 19, 2009 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think the main event will be entertaining. Thinking Wand gets dropped fairly early.
by nielsen on May 19, 2009 12:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
205 PLEASE CROCOP! I really want to see Mirko at Light Heavyweight, I feel that he is too small for the larger weight class… Give him Jardine then the loser of Rashad/Lyoto :D
by oskarbravo on May 19, 2009 4:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If the same Cro Cop who turned up to the open weight Grand Prix finals shows up at this fight then Al Turk is goin out of the UFC on a stretcher
by Jez on May 29, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
