Cro-cop weg bij UFC

[rtodeep]

Breaking News: Mirko Joins DREAM [Feb 13, 2008]
Nokaut.com Staff
Breaking News: Mirko Joins DREAM

PRIDE's 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix champion Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic has officially parted ways with the UFC and signed with DREAM - a new collaborative effort between FEG (K-1, HERO'S) and former DSE staff (PRIDE).

The new event is a drastic change following new creative leadership over HERO's. FEG is hoping to bring new life to their MMA show and the addition of former DSE staff is what they are looking for.

At an official press conference on Wednesday the promotion announced that "Cro Cop" had joined their ranks and would be fighting on their upcoming March 15 card. No opponent was named.

Specific details surrounding his departure from the UFC are currently unknown.

Filipovic (22-6-2) signed with the UFC following his first major championship - winning PRIDE's 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix. He made his UFC debut against Eddie Sanchez in February of 2007. Following his TKO win he lost his next two fights - succumbing to a head kick KO from Gabriel Gonzaga and dropping a decision to Cheick Kongo.

Prior to his 1-2 run in the UFC, "Cro Cop" was considered the number two heavyweight in the world. The Croatian striker holds wins over former UFC heavyweight champion and PRIDE's 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix finalist Josh Barnett, Olympic Judo gold medalist Hidehiko Yoshida, Aleskander Emelianenko, former PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva, Igor Vovchanchyn, Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman, Heath Herring, Kazuyuki Fujita, Japanese superstar and MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba, and Ikuhisa Minowa.
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[rtodeep]

Als dit waar is hoop ik dat het goed komt met CC, wil hem zeker weer graag zien vechten, topper


From: Cindy Ortiz
Date: 02/13/08 06:02 AM
Member Since: 02/10/2006
4234 Total Posts Ignore User

I just talked to DW and this is what he had to say: The split was amicable and the terms were decided on in advance. Cro Cops $350k (plus bonuses) contract had a clause in it stating that if he lost two consecutive fights Zuffa had the right to void the existing agreement and negotiate a new one.
CC never dreamed that he would be so overwhelmed by the level of competition he has faced in the UFC so far and and the losses have impacted him mentally.
The UFC did NOT cut Cro Cop from the roster nor did they threaten to make him sit out until his contract expired if he didn't take the pay cut deal.
Rather than negotiate a new contract with the UFC right now (and risk racking up more losses), Cro Cop wants to get a couple of tune up fights (and wins) in some of the smaller shows (no more tune up matches for him in the UFC) in hopes of rebuilding his confidence and getting himself back on track.
DW understood completely and supported Cro Cop in his decision. The last thing DW wants to do is shell out a six-figure purse to a fighter that isn't fighting worth a dayum. Even though it would have been lower than the original figure, it would still be a waste of money and resources.
Cro Cops ultimate goal is to win the UFC HW championship belt and DW believes he still has the potential to accomplish that goal. CC's plan when he signed with the UFC was, "I will become Champion after three matches. I will need two and a half or three months off between each match. I expect to hold the UFC belt by the Summer. Then I want Pride Champion Fedor Emelianenko, Vs Me the UFC Heavyweight Champion on New Years Eve."
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[DeEMaSsIvE]

Originally Posted by sherdog.com
This is an article from today's (February 14th) edition of Vecernji list, a Croatian newspaper. Here is the link: Sportal.hr.

Mirko's return to Japan was spectacularly announced in Tokyo yesterday. A press conference was held in Edmont hotel where a new MMA organisation was presented - Dreams. Mirko was the surprise guest. The organizers were announcing the appearance of a big name, but handn't mentioned Mirko's name. But, as the song Wild Boys started to play, excitement begun which culminated as Mirko entered the room. His manager, Ken Imai, told us about it over the phone:
"Press conferences in Japan are often held with fans present. For all of them, the appearance of Mirko was an emotional moment."

Mirko's trip to Japan was undercover due to business reasons. Imai says: "Just 3 hours before the press conference I received a letter from UFC's president Dana White in which he confirmed that the UFC is ready to terminate Mirko's contract, but under one condition - that he comes back when he's ready."

And Mirko himself says he wants to come back.
"I'll continue to train in the cage, the one I have in my gym, because I'll return to the UFC. I left because I couldn't wait any longer. I asked for a fight earlier, as early as March 1st, but I was offered May, or even later. I asked for a rematch with Gonzaga in Zagreb, but he lost to Werdum so that fell through. And I'm in shape, I gained muscle mass, I'm 105 kg (231 lbs) and I want to fight."

In order for that to happen, Mirko mustn't lose for the duration of his new contract.
"Mirko is not allowed to lose. After 3 victories, all options will be opened."

One of the wishes will most likely be a rematch with Fedor, but that has to be earned, beginning from March 15th. Mirko realizes that some people will come out who see it all just as his escape from the octagon.
"Last 2 years I've been in some kind of mental blockade. I was empty before fights, depressed, I hated myself."
If he fights in the UFC again, Mirko would like it to happen England.
"I'm sorry to have disappointed my English fans who welcomed me like a king. That's why I want to come out in front of them again. I can't turn back time, but my time will come again."

After the last year's acquisition of Pride, the Americans rule the world of MMA. They never had Fedor, but they got the legendary Brasilian Minotaur. Fedor remains with M-1, but without an exclusive contract, which means he can fight in other organisations. Besides, M-1 and Dreams will cohost events. In that light, a rematch between Mirko and Fedor is a possibility, but not as one of Mirko's first 3 fights. Besides Mirko, the stars in Dreams should be Serghei Kharitonov (who holds victories over Schilt and Werdum), Murk Hunt and also some of the current K-1 fighters like Jerome LeBanner and Ray Sefo. Dreams was founded as the successor of Pride, with the association of K-1. Events will be organized by ex-Prides producers, referees, and aired by the national TV station TBS.

NOKAUT .:. Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts source .:.

grote woorden van mirko... lets hope its true...

[roberto24]

ziet er leuk uit, dat dreams, worden leuke namen genoemd zo. had r nog niet eerder van gehoord. toch wel jammer dat mirko een soort van toegeeft dat de ufc te zwaar voor m was, had altijd gedacht dat het niveau van pride hoger lag dan van de ufc.

[DeEMaSsIvE]

Origineel gepost door roberto24

ziet er leuk uit, dat dreams, worden leuke namen genoemd zo. had r nog niet eerder van gehoord. toch wel jammer dat mirko een soort van toegeeft dat de ufc te zwaar voor m was, had altijd gedacht dat het niveau van pride hoger lag dan van de ufc.

jah en dan is her rare ook dat..

Big Nog.. (HW champ) afkomstig van Pride
Rampage Jackson (LHW champ) afkomstig van pride

binnekort, Dan Henderson, Vs. Anderson Sylva voor de MW championship.... Als Dan Henderson wint dan zijn er 3 pride champs... dus raar dat mirko UFC te zwaar vind... ik niet snap...

[snoob]

Mirko is dan ook een kickboxer die gebruik maakte van de ring ( hoeken ) om iemand vast te zetten, gaat totaal niet in een 'octagon'

[roberto24]

mirko is echt niet te catagorizeren als een kickboxer, naast een goede trap en stoot heeft ie ook een onwijs sterke tackedown defence en staat ie op de grond zn mannetje ook wel. Vond mirko nou niet echt vaak zn tegenstander in de hoek drukken om t daar af te maken of zo, meestal was t wachten op zn linkerbeen.

[DeEMaSsIvE]

Kongo en CroCop hebben beetje ruzie

Cheick Kongo on the premature UFC departure of Mirko Cro Cop to DREAM in Japan :

'Cro Cop needs some juices and there he can use them without getting in trouble.'

Mirko Cro Cop on those comments via his personal blog at MMA-ID.com:

'I have a message for Kongo. Listen, I though that you are a sportsman, a professional like everyone else in this sport. You were lucky enough to fight against me during the deepest crisis of my career. You probably ate a lot of vegetables and potatoes to look like that? Ill be back in the cage and I hope you will be in the opposite corner. Then we'll see for how long you?ll be able to talk.'


Crocop on roids

[roberto24]

nou, hij is de laatste tijd zowiezo al opvallend gegroeid, dus zo raar zou ik dat eigenlijk niet vinden. Hij zal lang de enige niet zijn.

[tinnes]

Meeste van die gasten zien er sowiezo niet natural uit.. eigenlijk alleen fedor en alex zien er beetje chubby en eigenlijk totaal niet afgetrained uit.. terwijl ze volgens mij wel van solid titanium zijn.

Het is jammer van Mirko dat ie het niet goed deed in UFC.. maar UFC zuigt ook gewoon. Hoop dat Dreams net als PRIDE weer wat om naar uit te kijken gaat worden.

[Willy7]

De kick van cro cop zijn zalig
Erg rustig altijd in de ring, echte killer instinct straalt ie uit!

[guardian]

Crocop mist duidelijk zelfvertrouwen en druipt met de staart tussen de benen af, hopelijk weet hij dit nog om te buigen naar het einde van zn carriëre toe. Kongo moet natuurlijk zn mond houden maar hij slaat wel de nagel op de kop, zo lijkt het.

[DeEMaSsIvE]

EEN UPDATE


In short, CroCop will fight 3 times with DREAM and then return later in '08 to the UFC where he plans to stay.

?I have already mentioned that I will take part in three fights for DREAM and that then I will return to the UFC,? Filipovic told the website javno.com. ?And to all Internet know-it-alls, I say to put gloves on and to enter the ring or the cage themselves before insulting (any) fighter. I repeat, I am not avoiding the UFC, and will come back by the end of the year.?

?I?m sorry to have disappointed my English fans who welcomed me like a king. That?s why I want to come out in front of them again. I can?t turn back time, but my time will come again.?

BTW: Mirko expects 1 of his DREAM fights to be a Fedor rematch.

http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/22/mirk...rn-to-the-ufc/

[DeEMaSsIvE]

interviewtjuh

Why did you leave the UFC?

I just couldn't wait until May.

But Dana White told the press he was waiting for you and not the other way around?

White obviously thought I was still on vacation but I notified him I was in full training and wanted to compete in March. However, the UFC couldn't find me an opponent that fast and I didn't want to stop my preparations and start all over again for my match in May. Besides I was HUNGRY for a fight and nervous (anxious) like a dog.

How did you come to an agreement with DREAM?

Soon after my conversation with Dana I got a call from DREAM. Altough I didn't sign any contract we came to an agreement for 3 fights in March, June and September. I never had written contracts with the Japenese because we have always done business by oral agreement (handshake).

What has drawn you to Dream?

The key thing was the opporunity to fight in March. Also Japan is where I built my name and in a way my second home.

What happened to your obligations towards the UFC?

I'm going to go back to the UFC without a doubt, altough my contract doesn't bind me to do so. The date of return depends on a possible fight with Fedor. The fight should take place on 31st December if Fedor accepts. If that failes I'll be back in the UFC by the end of this year.

The UFC has 'agreed' to let you go to the competition?

I have managed to come to terms with Dana and I'm thankful for his cooperation and understanding. I owe not only the UFC but especially my british fans who really supported me in my last two bouts. Not even in Japan have I received such support so I'm really sorry I was in a crisis back then.

With who did you want to fight in the UFC?

I asked for a rematch with Gonzaga but that was not possible because he lost to Werdum. Then I asked for Kongo but that wasn't possible either.

Will you be training in the ring or in the cage?

I'm continuing to train in the cage. Transitioning from the cage to the ring is not a problem but the other way around requires adjustments. It seems all the Pride fighters
underperformed when they made the transition to the UFC.

So you didn't take the transition from the ring to the octagon well?

I had fallen into some kind of psychological crisis. Even in the Sanchez fight I wasn't my old self. Maybe I got saturated with fighting after the OWGP.

How do you explain this crisis?

It's hard to explain, all I know is that I lost that KILLER INSTINCT. I lost 5kg (10lb) before the fight with Kongo, I had a hard time wanting to train and on the day of the fight I thought to myself: Why do I even need this, why am I fighting a guy I have never seen before. I was fed up with it all.

Are you in your old form again?

Everything is alright now. The fire in me is back and I want to fight really bad. I've never felt better, I'm in excellent shape. Once I fought for my material excistance now i fight for pride.

Will there be a tv broadcast of your fights from DREAM?

Most certainly.