Mirko Cro Cop: 'I'm pleased with my return to UFC'
by MMAmania.com on Jul 19, 2009 9:57 PM EDT
42 comments
Props: Nokaut.com
Quoteworthy:
"I'm pleased with my return to UFC, the only global MMA organization. Unfortunately, every other organization is far beyond UFC. DREAM cannot compete with Americans in sports or financial terms. The UFC has succeeded to become in this sport what PRIDE used to be, maybe even more than that. I will always be grateful to the Japanese fans, that is the country where I became famous as a fighter. But the offer I got from Dream was not a challenge for me. I'm sorry that UFC and DREAM argued over me. There was a lot of noise over nothing, I was even called a liar, and I read supposed statement by Dana White that I called him 600 times. Exact number of my calls was zero. I texted him once and that's all. I wouldn't call anyone 600 times, even if my life depends on that. I don't want to be presented in such a degrading way."
The 2006 Pride FC Open Weight Grand Prix winner, Mirko Cro Cop, clarifies the recent brouhaha over his contract status, saying he chose the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) because of the money and level of competition. The Croatian caused quite a controversy after his most recent appearance inside the Octagon -- a controversial first round technical knockout over Mustafa Al-Turk -- when it appeared that he was DREAM bound, despite a verbal agreement with company president Dana White to ink a longer deal. Now that the situation is seemingly settled, and Cro Cop is signed to a reported three-fight deal, he can now focus on what he does best, fighting. And he'll likely get that opportunity against up-and-coming knockout artist Junior Dos Santos at UFC 103 in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19.
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junior by devastating tko, cro cops best days are behind him and his performances show that
by markg on Jul 19, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dos santos is a bad ass boxer, he might really knock mirko out.. which would be very nice.
by shamo84 on Jul 19, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, if he can back him up and try to put hands on him, he’s got this. Size wise they’re fairly close but i somehow see junior bullying him in the clinch. No ground work here, unless santos pay homage to his teacher!
by NameNotRequired on Jul 19, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would actually like to see Mirko get one of his patented head kick KO’s just for old times sake.
Its so long since he caught anyone like that and it would wake up the division and do wonders for his confidence if he could pull it off.
by Ca$z on Jul 20, 2009 4:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I refuse to believe that Dana may have exaggerated Cro-Cop’s desire to get in touch with him. Outrageous.
by Jeremyjackson on Jul 19, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah junior is a fast and powerful puncher, but he’s shown zero defense he comes in wide with his chin up, he’s all offense and about timing and throwing first, a skilled counterstriker might give him some trouble…
by RoB on Jul 19, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cigano is 18 – 0 in his pro kickboxing career and current brazilian hw kickboxing champ, trains standup with Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida and sparring partners like Shogun. His only loss in mma was by armbar. Cro Cop better hope he can catch him with a counter early otherwise its lights out Mirko. I put it even standing, Dos Santos with the advantage everywhere else, especialy clinch game and subs.
by paniczoo on Jul 19, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is Dos Santos’s fight to lose. Cro Cop hasn’t been impressive in the UFC so far, and Cigano isn’t the guy to face out of form.
by Kobajack on Jul 20, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lol Double J. Exactly, does that really sound like something Dana would do?
by attakdog on Jul 20, 2009 5:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JJ – how can you refuse to believe it…CC would rather DIE than call someone that many times…LMAO!!
by McArthur on Jul 20, 2009 7:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate to say it, but I got Cigano in this fight. I think that Dos Santos is PRIME to break out into top fighter status that Carwin and Vallasquez have recently reached. tHere is nothing I would like to see more then Mirko becoming a contender for the UFC title, but I think its unlikely. This is a bad match up for Mirko, but props to him for not taking another easy fight. Cigano is a relative unknown to the majority of fans, but for those that know, he is a bad mofo! For Mirko, this fight is way too risky, and provides little reward….So I gotta give Mirko props for taking this fight, which confirms that he really does want to test him self and prove his worth in the Octagon!
by JOhn G on Jul 20, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All I got to say is if the old CRO COP of PRIDE shows up then the UFC HW division is in trouble, but if the CRO COP of the UFC shows up his a dead man(wich I think will be the case)sorry MIRCO, hope u proove me wrong.
by TaPouT on Jul 19, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d call someone 600 times for a Klondike Bar
by danza macabra on Jul 19, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the winner of Nog and Couture will face Cro Cop if Cro Cop wins. Otherwise the lose of the 2 will probably face him.
by RyanHobbs on Jul 19, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard that the winner of the Nog/Randy fight will get a title shot.. Im thinking the winner of the Dos Santos/Cro Cop fight will get the winner of the Carwin/Valesquez fight.
Imagine Cro Cop vs Carwin. YIKES!
by Stagger-Lee on Jul 20, 2009 7:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Randy wins and Cro Cop win
Randy vs Lesnar
Cro Cop winner vs Carwin/Cain winner
Dos Santos vs Mir
Nog vs Carwin/Cain loser?
That is a tough spot to put the loser of the Carwin/Cain fight though – potentially (even though I think Carwin/Cain take Nog at this point) 2 losses in a row for one of the UFC’s rising starts.
by WB on Jul 20, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well couture is done should just retired he did his job a dam good job too. But his days are over
by Jose on Jul 19, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
this is begining to annoy me now, how can anyone say couture is done, he lost to the man who is now the current HW champ, its not like he was getting man handled in that fight, he was doing better than mir was doing in both fights and he was doing way better than hearing. I dont get how after 2 great performaces against guys who he was supposed to loose then 1 fight where he got caught, everyone presumes he’s done. He was out for a long time before his last fight aswell which may have had a small impact on the outcome, I have been reading comments from people saying no one but fedor can really challenge lesnar but because randy lost to him he’s done, i think thats far from it, I would even give him a chance in a rematch, not a huge one but there is the possibility he could do it, he could still give most of the HW’s in the devision a really hard fight and would probably beat the majority of them, personally i think its unlikley that he will get the belt again as long as lesnar and carwin are around but he is by no means done.
by hughes on Jul 19, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. He was doing great against Lesnar and I would bet that he could still beat Lesnar.
by RyanHobbs on Jul 19, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What are the odds of Mirko fighting at 205?
by wAyNe on Jul 19, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mirko by decapitation…this guy is a fluke…He is lucky if he even makes it to the 2nd round..Unleash the LHK
by gaara on Jul 19, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TKO by Dos Santos. It’s going to be UFC 70 all over again for Cro Cop. I think it’s all his fault for being greedy. Sure he should seek out the best deal but don’t talk as if you want to make a run at the UFC title then duck Cain for an easy fight. He got a huge purse and an easy win off Mustafa that’s all he wanted.
by Vulcano on Jul 19, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
CC came off of knee surgery You think he really wants to test his sprawl against cain first fight back after being laid up for months? he was just being smart. And what I saw from Cain agaist Congo was a guy who consistently got caught on the button and rocked but was able to use his dominant wrestling to recover,smother and ulitmately dominate. Cro Cop will put Cain to sleep with those opportunities…or he’ll get pounded out but neither outcome would surprise me. Carwin will knock out cain for sure.
by Steamboat on Jul 20, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What’s crocops weight 225 would be exciting to see him at 205 but Machida would crush him
by Jose on Jul 19, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mirco Cro Cop vs:
Rampage *
Jardine
Forrest
Shogun
Franklin *
Evans
T. Silva
Coleman??
COUTURE at LHW or HW.
are all interesting match-ups….
by SoCalStunNa on Jul 19, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well I think crocop is going to do superb this time in the ufc will be the number one contender at heavyweight soon
by Jose on Jul 19, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hes not being greedy he’s being smart about his money. Common sense in going with the ufc more money. Remember money talks
by Jose on Jul 19, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t see Cro Cop winning his next fight. Junior is the hungry up and comer, Cro Cop will be a stepping stone just like he was for Gonzaga, and how Kongo was for Cain. This is the kinda fight that’ll make alot of people start talking about Dos Santos.
by Miketsi on Jul 19, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Man crocop is toast. Just can’t see him being a force. Regardless of hw or lhw. And as for ppl always saying couture should retire? Why? Why him and not nog? Randy is gonna smash nog. Randy’s latest return to ufc has been amazing. Why should he retire after beating nog but no recommendations for nog? Cause he’s younger? Fuck he looks 100. And fought too much. And I h8 shogun too. Just saying. He proved nothing against Chuck. Who hasn’t beat recent Chuck? That’s not proof. Wasn’t a long enough fight for proof. And before that? Yikes don’t get me started. Coleman? Ooooo. Loss to Griffin? Ya he’s slated for big things. Start the excuse train. Here we go.
by Daniel worby on Jul 19, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“I wouldn’t call anyone 600 times, even if my life depends on that.”
hahaha, he sounds like he hates telephones as much as me.
by DirtyML on Jul 19, 2009 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ayatollah Lord Dana White lieing??? How dare you!!!!!! The man’s never told an untruth in his life!
by attakdog on Jul 20, 2009 5:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its pretty much safe to say you wont see dana hugging up on cro cop in his video blogs prior to the event which is probably a relief for cro cop. lorenzo applies diplomacy, respect and a good deal and saves the day again
it doesnt matter if you like mirko or not if you think he will make some noise or not hes a huge star and fans will watch.
The only reason I know fedor will sign with the ufc and expose the current hw champ in 1round is because lorenzo F will meet with him 1 on 1. while dana sits in the car
dos santos/crocop is a perfect match up striker vs striker cro cop is out of reasons and injuries to justify poor performance he needs to come out firing or in his case come out counter striking either way he better let both hands and feet go and leave everything in the cage win or lose I just want to see him throw that kick at least 10 times and fight like hell.
by dia mette on Jul 20, 2009 3:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dear Mirko, please drop to 205. Thanks
by oskarbravo on Jul 20, 2009 3:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cro Cop needs to swallow his pride He believes his old hype.
I’m a huge fan, always have been but he seems to have the “I’m Mirko Cro Cop and this fighter is nobody and I can not lose”.
I think he needs to fight for his life when he gets into that Octagon next. He needs to come to terms with the fact that he could very easily lose, he needs to fight tooth and nail and then we’ll see Mirko Cro Cop like he used to be. Then he’ll make some noise and then we might even see him challenge for the title.
by Holyghost on Jul 20, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What?
Dana never lies!!!!!!!!!!
This is blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!!
by introvert on Jul 20, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow what a surprise Dana lied. His bull#@%* and revisionist history in just about every statement he has ever made is really starting to turn me off to the whole UFC as a whole. I have been a huge fan for a long time but I prefer watching Strikeforce now because the lack of drama and BS is actually refreshing in a fight promotion. I understand that he is a promoter and his job is to spin the truth to his advantage but I thought that was just for his fightcards not his ego. Why would you make a fighter you now have to promote and star in your shows look bad for your own benefit. Even if he did call 600 times why would you say it. Dana loves Dana period and any fighter (besides maybe Liddell) who thinks he has one ounce of respect for them is crazy.
by Eric on Jul 20, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dana should shut his damn pie hole. He’s rude to the people that shovel all that money into his pocket.
by sam on Jul 20, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where’s all the Dana lovers to back up his side of the story?
hmmmm…they seem to have disapeared.
by introvert on Jul 20, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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