Cro Cop Bulks Up, To Fight A Few More Years
Several months ago it was reported that Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic was planning on bulking up to 231 pounds for his return to the UFC in early 2008. After suffering two back-to-back losses for the first time in his career, Cro Cop felt that he was easily being out-muscled by his larger opponents, particularly in the clinch.
In a new article by Croatian website Vecernji List “Cro Cop” reveals that he now weighs 231 pounds and can bench press more weight than ever. Said Filipovic:
“I have significantly changed my training regimen and it’s going to show in my next few fights.”
Mirko also confirms in the interview that after receiving a personal invitation from Nobuhiko Takada, he has agreed to be in attendance at the Yarennoka event slated to take place at the Saitama Super Arena on New Year’s Eve. The event, billed as “Fedor Returns” in the United States, is headlined by Fedor Emelianenko’s bout against Choi Hong Man. The event will be broadcast on HDNet beginning at 6:30am ET on December 21st.
Though Mirko does not know the exact date of his next fight, it appears that the Croatian Sensation put talks of his retirement on hold stating in the interview “I plan on fighting a few more years if I’m healthy”.
Any news on Arlovski?
Big fan of Cro Cop, Hope he can do a good comeback.
Mirko is a tremendous talent.. I believe he just needs to incorporate a little more into his ground game..
needs a ground game this is MMA not kickboxing
Cro Cop has a better ground game then some realize. Also Aaron, I believe Crop Cop has done just fine in MMA. He is one of the top 5 fighters of the past few years. He hasn’t fought all chumps either. I like Cro Cop. I am excited to see him fight again, I predict he will fight in March as will Shogun.
I have to admit I expected these PRIDE guys to come and clean out the UFC title holders. I thought Cro Cop could do it as I thought Shogun, Wanderlai or Dan could take out Rampage (they still may). Perhaps Dan can dethrone Anderson…ehhh
Anyways, you have to admit Cro Cop is an exciting fighter who is great for the UFC. You know how Dana tries to get guys liek Bisping on their England cards and St. Pierre and Cote on the Canadian. What are the chances of an eastern European location with an Arlovski, the Belarusian, vs. Cro Cop the Croatian.
Cro Cop is cool and hope he does well with the weight gain. I also hope that he has been working in a cage and not a right….ps Randy is a greedy little b****!
So what, he’s gained 6 pounds?
If so…..big F’n deal.
I think it’s a “big deal” because people expected him to drop weight. I like the idea of him bulking up instead. I know when I lose too much (say 215) I feel week. He is a big guy and I think his frame is suitable to a larger heavyweight. As far as him winning or lossing, I don’t know. I think a “Loser Leaves” match with Arlovski & Cro-Cop would be fine. The UFC really doesn’t need both of them. I honestly think Arlovski is a better rounded fighter so I think I would take him in a 3 or 5 round fight.
as ive said before i dont no to much about all the pride fighters but wen cro-cop came over i heard nothing but good things! guess u should`nt belive all u hear eh?
any1 no wen kongo is fighting again?
sorry to tell you guys but crocop is old and is done
Johnboy do your research before you come into a comment room and start to dis one of the best if not the best Striker in MMA History if you do not know about Pride Fighters or Mirko Filipovic then go check there videos all over the net or go to Best Buy and buy some DVD’s cause although I am a big UFC Fan PRIDE when it was around was always the better Organization with better fighters THESE PAST 2 FIGHTS HAVE BEEN FLUKES do you really think Napo or Kongo are better fighters then Mirko CroCop Filipovic ??? come on people its a fight anyone can beat anyone on any certain day but when you really put it all in perspective CROCOP is way better then 90 % of the Heavyweight Fighters in all of MMA I cannot wait for the return watch out NOG and we need a Rematch of him and Fedor because even though Fedor is the best Mirko is the only person besides Randy I feel has a Chance on beating the Russian Experiment. P.S FEDOR IS THE BEST NOT SAYING HE ISNT BUT HE FIGHTS SOME WACK PEOPLE HONG MAN CHOI ???? another thing johnboy KONGO IS WACK.
bah…