Impostor
Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic is, bar none, one of the most feared stand up strikers in MMA today. A former K-1 star turned MMA fighter, he has only grown into his role as one of the highest touted fighters in the world today. He's been a model of evolution over his relatively short MMA career.
Once an almost timid and unsure fighter who looked uncomfortable in his first outings, he has become the ultimate personification of confidence. Possessing the most feared high-kick in the sport today, he's become more comfortable in his surroundings, learning not only how to maneuver in an MMA environment, but how to sprawl and work his way out of trouble. It is this metamorphosis that has made him one of the favorites to win this year's PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix.
A product of the Cro Cop Squad in his native Croatia, Mirko compiled a very good record in K-1 competing against some of the toughest fighters that the organization had to offer. But after years of not quite going where he wanted in that sport, Mirko decided to give MMA a shot.
Participating on behalf of K-1 in his first few MMA fights, Cro Cop made an impressive debut defeating Japanese iron head Kazuyuki Fujita in a special rules bout at the annual K-1 Andy Hug Memorial show. He opened a cut on the notoriously hard-headed Fujita which resulted in a doctor stoppage. Impressed, PRIDE invited Cro Cop to compete against Japanese legend and PRIDE figurehead Nobuhiko Takada at PRIDE 17.
At 6'2'' and 220 pounds of solid muscle, Filipovic entered into the fight the larger of the two, but his inexperience with MMA showed through as Takada was able to keep Mirko enough at bay that the fight ended in a draw. Undeterred by this first extended foray into MMA, Cro Cop was then signed to face New Japan pro wrestler Yuji Nagata at the annual Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye on New Year's Eve 2001. Just as he had dispatched Fujita in quick order, he did so against the clearly overmatched Nagata, getting a TKO after a flurry of punches just 21 seconds into the fight.
Impressed by his striking skills, PRIDE again called upon Cro Cop, this time in a special rules match against PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva. In a fight where there was a 20-second ground rule, the match stayed standing. But again, the inexperience and apprehension of the larger Cro Cop kept him from applying himself fully against the feared Brazilian Chute Boxe fighter. For the second time in two fights, Mirko had to be content with another draw.
Again being called upon to represent K-1, Cro Cop faced off against PRIDE legend and Japanese hero Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE's Shockwave 2002 show in a full on MMA fight. Outsizing his lankier opponent by over 40 pounds, Cro Cop dominated the fight and, with his improving ground attack, was able to control Sakuraba the entire fight. As testament to his immense striking power, a shot to Sakuraba?s face left him with a broken orbital bone giving Mirko the win via TKO. After returning again to compete in the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002 edition, Cro Cop successfully rematched with Fujita, taking the iron head to a unanimous decision victory before returning to K-1 for one last fight.
In what was a memorable battle between Cro Cop and K-1's biggest import, Bob "The Beast" Sapp, Mirko again imposed his will shattering bones near Sapp's eye, sidelining him for the better part of the first half of 2003. Unhappy with the way things had been going in K-1 and amidst allegations by Mirko that K-1 was fixing fights, Cro Cop decided to concentrate on MMA full time.
After deciding to focus on MMA completely, Filipovic has been on breakneck pace to establish himself as a legitimate contender for any title in the world. Quickly dispatching of PRIDE veterans Heath Herring (PRIDE 26), Igor Vovchanchyn (PRIDE Total Elimination 2003), and MMA newcomer Dos Caras Jr. (PRIDE Bushido Volume 1), Mirko was to ! be rewarded with a shot at Fedor Emelianenko's Heavyweight Championship at the PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 show. Things did not go as planned.
After Fedor had to pull out of their match due to a hand injury, Mirko was slated to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for an interim Heavyweight Championship match with the winner to go on to face Fedor to unify the titles. Perhaps brimming with overconfidence, Cro Cop dominated much of the first round only to be arm barred by Nogueira in the second round after a short lapse in concentration.
A visibly distraught Filipovic watched, as it was Nogueira, not him, who was given the title belt and then carried around the ring by his teammates. A refocused and determined Cro Cop then announced that he would be back and 2004 would be his year.
After successfully securing a slot in Croatian Parliament, Cro Cop returned to PRIDE looking sharper and more driven than ever. After nearly soccer kicking Ron Waterman's head off his body at PRIDE 27, Cro Cop fought just 13 days later at Bushido Volume 2 defeating veteran RINGS/PRIDE fighter Yoshihisa Yamamoto via devastating KO. Then immediately and without hesitation, Mirko announced he would be competing in the upcoming Open Weight Grand Prix.
Filipovic's first round opponent will be UFC/PRIDE star Kevin Randleman who will be making his first move up to the heavyweight division in nearly two years. On paper this match-up looks like a classic grappler versus striker confrontation, but with Mirko's continued growth in his ground game this may be closer than it first appears.
The strategy is simple for Cro Cop, use his devastating strikes to keep Randleman at bay and either finish the fight out with a flurry or with a single well placed head-kick. If the fight goes to the ground, where Randleman will try to take it, look for Cro Cop to use the same strategy he used against Ron Waterman, be patient and wait for opportunities to reverse things, take advantage of position changes and get things back up standing.
A win would further cement Mirko's growing bandwagon of believers that feel he is a champion in waiting. He is expected to win this fight and expected to go far into the tournament and possibly win the whole thing. Barring injury, he should fulfill those expectations. A loss would only temporarily detour this Croatian train from reaching its final destination. With his increasing popularity and willingness to compete as often as it takes to prove himself, it would only be a matter of time before he found himself back in the title hunt.
Only one fighter?s stock has risen as far as fast as Mirko's has and that is current PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko. If things go as planned, there is a good chance these two monsters will meet each other sometime in the tournament and that the outcome would, most likely, determine the eventual champion. Win or lose, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic has proven himself to be true force in MMA and one that is going to remain so for a long time to come. The only thing that?s missing is a championship belt, and if Mirko has anything to say about it, you won?t have to wait long to see one around his waist.
Win - Kazuyuki Fujita - TKO (Doctor Stoppage) - K-1 Andy Hug Memorial 2001 - 8-19-2001
Draw - Nobuhiko Takada - Draw - PRIDE 17 - 11-3-2001
Win - Yuji Nagata - TKO (Punches) - Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001 - 12-31-2001
Draw - Wanderlei Silva -Draw - PRIDE 20 - 4-28-2002
Win - Kazushi Sakuraba - TKO (Eye Injury) - PRIDE Shockwave 2002 - 8-28-2002
Win -Kazuyuki Fujita - Decision (Unanimous) - Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002 - 12-31-2002
Win - Heath Herring - TKO - PRIDE 26 - 6-8-2003
Win - Igor Vovchanchyn -KO (Kick) - PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 - 8-10-2003
Win - Dos Caras Jr.- KO (Kick) - PRIDE Bushido Volume 1 - 10-5-2003
Loss - Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Submission (Arm Bar) ? PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 - 11-9-2003
Win - Ron Waterman -KO - PRIDE 27 - 2-1-2003
Win - Yoshihisa Yamamoto - KO (Punches) - PRIDE Bushido Volume 2 - 2-15-2003
Once an almost timid and unsure fighter who looked uncomfortable in his first outings, he has become the ultimate personification of confidence. Possessing the most feared high-kick in the sport today, he's become more comfortable in his surroundings, learning not only how to maneuver in an MMA environment, but how to sprawl and work his way out of trouble. It is this metamorphosis that has made him one of the favorites to win this year's PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix.
A product of the Cro Cop Squad in his native Croatia, Mirko compiled a very good record in K-1 competing against some of the toughest fighters that the organization had to offer. But after years of not quite going where he wanted in that sport, Mirko decided to give MMA a shot.
Participating on behalf of K-1 in his first few MMA fights, Cro Cop made an impressive debut defeating Japanese iron head Kazuyuki Fujita in a special rules bout at the annual K-1 Andy Hug Memorial show. He opened a cut on the notoriously hard-headed Fujita which resulted in a doctor stoppage. Impressed, PRIDE invited Cro Cop to compete against Japanese legend and PRIDE figurehead Nobuhiko Takada at PRIDE 17.
At 6'2'' and 220 pounds of solid muscle, Filipovic entered into the fight the larger of the two, but his inexperience with MMA showed through as Takada was able to keep Mirko enough at bay that the fight ended in a draw. Undeterred by this first extended foray into MMA, Cro Cop was then signed to face New Japan pro wrestler Yuji Nagata at the annual Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye on New Year's Eve 2001. Just as he had dispatched Fujita in quick order, he did so against the clearly overmatched Nagata, getting a TKO after a flurry of punches just 21 seconds into the fight.
Impressed by his striking skills, PRIDE again called upon Cro Cop, this time in a special rules match against PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva. In a fight where there was a 20-second ground rule, the match stayed standing. But again, the inexperience and apprehension of the larger Cro Cop kept him from applying himself fully against the feared Brazilian Chute Boxe fighter. For the second time in two fights, Mirko had to be content with another draw.
Again being called upon to represent K-1, Cro Cop faced off against PRIDE legend and Japanese hero Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE's Shockwave 2002 show in a full on MMA fight. Outsizing his lankier opponent by over 40 pounds, Cro Cop dominated the fight and, with his improving ground attack, was able to control Sakuraba the entire fight. As testament to his immense striking power, a shot to Sakuraba?s face left him with a broken orbital bone giving Mirko the win via TKO. After returning again to compete in the Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002 edition, Cro Cop successfully rematched with Fujita, taking the iron head to a unanimous decision victory before returning to K-1 for one last fight.
In what was a memorable battle between Cro Cop and K-1's biggest import, Bob "The Beast" Sapp, Mirko again imposed his will shattering bones near Sapp's eye, sidelining him for the better part of the first half of 2003. Unhappy with the way things had been going in K-1 and amidst allegations by Mirko that K-1 was fixing fights, Cro Cop decided to concentrate on MMA full time.
After deciding to focus on MMA completely, Filipovic has been on breakneck pace to establish himself as a legitimate contender for any title in the world. Quickly dispatching of PRIDE veterans Heath Herring (PRIDE 26), Igor Vovchanchyn (PRIDE Total Elimination 2003), and MMA newcomer Dos Caras Jr. (PRIDE Bushido Volume 1), Mirko was to ! be rewarded with a shot at Fedor Emelianenko's Heavyweight Championship at the PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 show. Things did not go as planned.
After Fedor had to pull out of their match due to a hand injury, Mirko was slated to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for an interim Heavyweight Championship match with the winner to go on to face Fedor to unify the titles. Perhaps brimming with overconfidence, Cro Cop dominated much of the first round only to be arm barred by Nogueira in the second round after a short lapse in concentration.
A visibly distraught Filipovic watched, as it was Nogueira, not him, who was given the title belt and then carried around the ring by his teammates. A refocused and determined Cro Cop then announced that he would be back and 2004 would be his year.
After successfully securing a slot in Croatian Parliament, Cro Cop returned to PRIDE looking sharper and more driven than ever. After nearly soccer kicking Ron Waterman's head off his body at PRIDE 27, Cro Cop fought just 13 days later at Bushido Volume 2 defeating veteran RINGS/PRIDE fighter Yoshihisa Yamamoto via devastating KO. Then immediately and without hesitation, Mirko announced he would be competing in the upcoming Open Weight Grand Prix.
Filipovic's first round opponent will be UFC/PRIDE star Kevin Randleman who will be making his first move up to the heavyweight division in nearly two years. On paper this match-up looks like a classic grappler versus striker confrontation, but with Mirko's continued growth in his ground game this may be closer than it first appears.
The strategy is simple for Cro Cop, use his devastating strikes to keep Randleman at bay and either finish the fight out with a flurry or with a single well placed head-kick. If the fight goes to the ground, where Randleman will try to take it, look for Cro Cop to use the same strategy he used against Ron Waterman, be patient and wait for opportunities to reverse things, take advantage of position changes and get things back up standing.
A win would further cement Mirko's growing bandwagon of believers that feel he is a champion in waiting. He is expected to win this fight and expected to go far into the tournament and possibly win the whole thing. Barring injury, he should fulfill those expectations. A loss would only temporarily detour this Croatian train from reaching its final destination. With his increasing popularity and willingness to compete as often as it takes to prove himself, it would only be a matter of time before he found himself back in the title hunt.
Only one fighter?s stock has risen as far as fast as Mirko's has and that is current PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko. If things go as planned, there is a good chance these two monsters will meet each other sometime in the tournament and that the outcome would, most likely, determine the eventual champion. Win or lose, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic has proven himself to be true force in MMA and one that is going to remain so for a long time to come. The only thing that?s missing is a championship belt, and if Mirko has anything to say about it, you won?t have to wait long to see one around his waist.
Win - Kazuyuki Fujita - TKO (Doctor Stoppage) - K-1 Andy Hug Memorial 2001 - 8-19-2001
Draw - Nobuhiko Takada - Draw - PRIDE 17 - 11-3-2001
Win - Yuji Nagata - TKO (Punches) - Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001 - 12-31-2001
Draw - Wanderlei Silva -Draw - PRIDE 20 - 4-28-2002
Win - Kazushi Sakuraba - TKO (Eye Injury) - PRIDE Shockwave 2002 - 8-28-2002
Win -Kazuyuki Fujita - Decision (Unanimous) - Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002 - 12-31-2002
Win - Heath Herring - TKO - PRIDE 26 - 6-8-2003
Win - Igor Vovchanchyn -KO (Kick) - PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 - 8-10-2003
Win - Dos Caras Jr.- KO (Kick) - PRIDE Bushido Volume 1 - 10-5-2003
Loss - Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Submission (Arm Bar) ? PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 - 11-9-2003
Win - Ron Waterman -KO - PRIDE 27 - 2-1-2003
Win - Yoshihisa Yamamoto - KO (Punches) - PRIDE Bushido Volume 2 - 2-15-2003
http://www.sfd.pl/temat132515/ - ZAGŁĘBIE SOSNOWIEC
http://www.sfd.pl/temat130326/ - JUVENTUS TURYN
Krzysztof Piekarz
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