What’s Next for Cro Cop?
Last night heavily favored Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic suffered his second loss in the UFC at the hands of a B level fighter in Cheik Kongo. His loss begs the question, “what’s next for the Croatian?” Although Cro Cop is always a dangerous fighter capable of knocking out just about any opponent on a good day, his last two losses in the UFC make it apparent that he not a legitimate threat to reign king in the heavyweight division. Sure, he might be able to KO Couture (maybe) but he’s not the type of fighter that can sustain a long title run with multiple defenses. The way we see it, Mirko has two options.
First option is to simply retire. Cro Cop has a full time job waiting for him on the police force in Croatia and even has a seat on the country’s parliament. As a K-1 and MMA fighter, he has nothing left to prove. He ran through the 2006 Pride Grand Prix tournament in impressive fashion to capture the lofty title in Japan. He’s faced the best and he’s beaten some of the best. His last few fights however show that the eye of the tiger that made him so feared years ago is waning. Can he regain that fire and compete with the likes of Gonzaga, Vera, Fedor, and Nogueria? The old Cro Cop, yes. The current Cro Cop, no.
Second option is to drop down to the UFC light heavyweight division. Mirko came into the fight against Kongo at 220lbs. Yes he doesn’t carry a lot of extra weight, but dropping 15lbs to make the light heavyweight max of 205lb is very doable. Competing in the lighter division could definitely bring some excitement and help re-fuel his fire. While he’s shown to not be a serious contender for a heavyweight title, at 205 he’d have one hell of a shot. Cro Cop vs. Jackson? Cro Cop vs. Shogun? Cro Cop vs. Henderson? Cro Cop vs. Liddell? These are all fights the fans would love to see.
Of the two options, we would like to see the second scenario. Are we crazy? Add a comment.
September 10th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I think the second option is a very exciting idea, but I wonder what crocop loses with the weight. We have to take some things into consideration with his recent loss to Kongo.
#1 he broke a rib in the first round. I think it must have been on his left side because his straight left completely disappeared in the second and third rounds. He threw a couple of kicks but that used specifically his hip rotations. I thought it was pretty obvious that Mirko was injured. Fighters know that “the core” is so important to throwing effective punches and kicks. a broken rib can feel like someone sticking a knife in your side, so imagine trying to throw effective punches. But, also remember that it’s a fight and (like Gonzagas broken nose) it’s all a major factor, yet completely within the rules.
#2 I’m sure the two knees to the groin didn’t help matters either. Had he called attention to the fact that he got hit the first time, I think Kongo would have lost a point after the second knee.
I would like to see Mirko return to the Heavyweight division. if for no other reason than to see him rematch Fedor. He also owes a little payback to Nog. I’m a huge fan of his and even though I was yelling at the tv on Saturday night, I’ll support Crocop whatever he decides.
September 11th, 2007 at 6:39 am
…. he should gain weight … he’s much to skinny for a yugo, have u seen his face, so skinny, half dead would his grandma said …. keep on fighting mirko, and trust in ur weapons the kicks and then u will succeed
September 19th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
To me it looked like CroCop looked timid as almost like afraid of getting hit and when he did get hit he took the worst of it and suffered those injuries thats why when he comes out next time hes got to give all he got and go out to hurt and not hold back, I think he could have beat Gonzaga and Cheik for a fact had he changed his game plan and started throwing hands and feet right from the get go with little measure up time thats how the dudes got the confidence they could hurt hi,m and beat him, the body can only take so much punishment and then you have to say to yourself should i retire
October 7th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Marvelous view covering What’s Next for Cro Cop?. I enjoy this view.