UFC Quick Quote: Al-Turk looking to step up (and step over) Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 99
by Jesse Holland on Jun 4, 2009 9:46 AM EDT
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"My initial reaction was ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to change my strategy to fight a southpaw. It threw me a little to begin with. It hasn’t been a problem, though. There were slight difficulties adjusting from Duffee to Cro-Cop, but I think we’ve got there in the end. I’m just looking to step up now and make the most out of the situation. I see this as a great opportunity to make a name for myself. Beating Cro-Cop would be a massive win for me. I know I’m in for a tough old fight. I’m not expecting a walkover by any means. I’m going to Germany to win. I’m confident my hand will be raised at the end of this fight."
Mustapha Al-Turk — who was originally slated to face undefeated American Top Team (ATT) heavyweight Todd Duffee at UFC 99: "The Comeback" at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, on June 13 — talks to UFC.com about his preparation (and chances) against his new foe, Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. The former British Cage Rage heavyweight champion came up short in his Octagon debut against Cheick Kongo, losing via brutal technical knockout. Cro Cop didn’t have much luck against the Parisian, either, dropping a unanimous decision back in 2007, which forced his exit from the promotion. Does Al-Turk really have the tools to topple the Croatian and send him packing once again or will Cro Cop return to the UFC on a high note (or high kick)?
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Of course he has the tools. But I honestly believe CroCop when he says he’s motivated and dedicated for a final run. However, my excessive nuthuggery for CC doesn’t forsee a title for him, sadly enough.
by Ray Flaherty on Jun 4, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions
Here’s an interesting quote about some of the factors that went into Cro Cop’s exit from the UFC and his apparent troubles at the time.
http://www.thesavagescience.com/boxing-article/70/cro-cop-crossroads/
“Even more uncertainty relative to Cro Cop’s performance was generated by comments from his team. In an interview with the Croatian sports media manager Zvonimir Lucic gave even more rationalizations for Cro Cop’s substandard outing focusing specifically on his breathing difficulties. Lucic revealed that Mirko had been suffering from breathing difficulties due to a nasal obstruction for some time now. This condition had been less problematic during his time in K-1 and PRIDE, but with the greater amount of “smothering” type tactics in the UFC had become extremely serious. It was reported that surgery was not an option, as reportedly his nose wouldn’t be able to withstand a hit to the face. Lucic also suggested that their physical and cardiovascular conditioning strategy for the Kongo fight was “all wrong” but didn’t elaborate as to why.
Shortly thereafter, the Croatian sports media reported that Mirko had gone ahead with surgery to correct a deviated septum. Dr. Vladimir Bedekovic, who performed the surgery, speculated that this curtailed his breathing during fights by as much as 50% and indicated his amazement that any top level athlete could succeed with such a severe deviation. The doctor was confident that the surgery wouldn’t adversely impact Mirko’s future as a fighter and Cro Cop himself expressed considerable enthusiasm about continuing his MMA career."
by MMACrossfire on Jun 4, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I am all for hoping CC gets back to where he used to be. I am not a huge fan but he can be very fun to watch. I love competition and CC at the top of his game is a lot to deal with.
I really wish he would at least leave his own training camp for a while and go work with another top camp. I am sure lots of camps would welcome such a great striker.
by NorthStar on Jun 4, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I wont be betting money on this fight! No way of telling where cro cop is mentally…But I will say, seeing Mirko return to top form would make the heavyweight division a lot more interesting.
this is the career path I would book for Cro cop:
start off with al-turk in Germany….If he beats him, he should then fight either Hardonk or dos Santos (even though I would also like to see Hardonk n dos Santos face off against each other). if he wins that fight I would match him up with either a rematch wit NOG, or a match up with Couture. If he wins all those fights, then he can get a title shot….But thats all a big IF and I am getting ahead of myself. Win or lose, if he is in top form, he makes for some very exciting match ups at heavyweight!
He is going to get a TON of LOVE from the German fans
by john on Jun 4, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions
I hope Cro Cop does well, he’s always been a fan favorite.
by UFC Champ on Jun 4, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I was so excited and so let down when CC came to the UFC, I hope he has been training in the cage and has his head back in it, I’m a fan and always has been!
by kevin on Jun 4, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Kevin, you still got tickets for UFC 100?
by Ray Flaherty on Jun 4, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Who Knows ? I just hope he gets the Belt. There is not many ‘likable’ HW’s in the UFC IMO – I like Carwin but the rest are just …??? errrmm….. dicks. I really hope Lesnar gets the opportunity to feel a Crocop Left, be it the straight or the high K and then drop through the octagon.
by Insain on Jun 4, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions
I’m sure Brock will be the best fight for Cro Cop before he gets the title shot with Mir. Yeah I said it, and beleive it, Mir will win very convincingly.
by UFC Champ on Jun 4, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
hold on a second Insain. I have always been a Mirko fan, but he is easily one of the biggest a$$holes in the sport. He isnt a classless Douche like Hughes, but he isnt the most fan friendly or media approachable fighter out there!
by john on Jun 4, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
He has a good personality when it comes to putting on a show. I suppose one reason i always back his case is cuz most of the time he fights people im not to keen on. Hes all about the fight and not the blabbing on – kind of fighters i like – sayin that, i love seeing Nick Diaz hype a fight up
by Insain on Jun 4, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
No worries, Mirko has actually bought a cage for his in house gym, and has been training in it for a while now. Mirko is going to have to perform because the “Cage thing” isnt a valid excuse anymore!
by john on Jun 4, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Cro-Cop looks like some sort of bad-ass Eastern European Jedi in that picture.
by Jeremyjackson on Jun 4, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
al turk is going to get stomped .i agree he wont be back cro cop wants this al turk is not in the same catagory
by steve battle on Jun 4, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Cro cop will use his Boxing and takedown defence and KTFO Al-turk I am so happy my number one hero is back for a seconed chance
by Shadow side on Jun 4, 2009 10:33 AM EDT reply actions
Hehe same here, Mirko was like a God for me… from his early K-1 days, to doing even better in Pride.
Too bad his UFC fights so far were crap… even the win over Sanchez looked bad.
Think of Mirko going down one or two wightclasses… that would’ve been crazy.
I’m very happy to have him back, I don’t care for his HLK that much I just want great Mirko action.
by JonnyBoy on Jun 4, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d feel better about al Turk if he had a full camp to train for Cro Cop. However, I do think a ground and pound heavy decision is possible for al Turk. I’m definitely not sold on Cro Cop still being relevant.
by MMAMoneyLine on Jun 4, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
Cro Cop should win this one pretty easily, Al-Turk has had little time to prepare and isn’t UFC caliber in my opinion. He looked abysmal against Kongo and didn’t show anything that would trouble Cro Cop. Mirko’s going to get a heroes welcome and Al-Turk will get booed out of the building, this should be a routine win but Cro Cop hasn’t looked the same since that Gonzaga KO and even a dominant win could be a false dawn like the Sanchez KO.
by David W-S on Jun 4, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions
HEAD KICK, HEAD KICK, HEAD KICK – the COP is BACK!!!!!
just dont put him up against a wrestler for a while and i believe he can get back to form!
by Randy for Couture on Jun 4, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions
I saw on nokaut forum for CC and he is signed only for a one fight deal which he said it himself. If he wins and leaves the UFC i’ll be pissed.
by Kyle on Jun 4, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions
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