Newest interview with CroCop, translated from Index.hr.
1. It was your first fight after two defeats. Were you nervous about your comeback to the ring?
Mirko: I wasn't nervous, I've been fighting in the ring for many years and I feel at home in it. I was excited about fighting in Japan again.
2. You looked impressive in the ring. You bulked up, did you do it on purpose or did it just happen?
Mirko: Gaining muscle mass was a 6 months process and I did it primarily to increase my raw strength.
3. Your boxing techniques looked fresh? Did the work with Marijan Zizanovic pay off?
Mirko: We train really hard and it's for sure that some credits for it should be given to Marijan. He's a real expert, I should have started this cooperation even sooner. It's a sure thing that my stand-up techniques will look even better in my next fights.
4. Did you think, theoretically, about what would have happened if you had lost one more fight? You are much better than Mizuno, but a single punch in this sport can decide a winner?
Mirko: I don't think about defeats, I'm well motivated and focused on bigger fights in the future and wins, of course.
5. How did it feel to return back to Japan after the US episode? Your popularity in Japan is still incredible, Saitama (and the atmosphere) is looking almost exactly like in PRIDE?
Mirko: The feeling was just fantastic, we can say that Japan is my second home. Japanese fans really respect this sport and the fighters, while Saitama is a place of some good memories.
6. Mizuno was a good warming-up, now you have more serious challenges in front of you. There are rumors about LeBanner, your old friend from your very first K1 fight, that you won?
Mirko: DREAM has mentioned several names for my next fight, it appears that my next opponent could be someone from K1. If it's LeBanner, that will be a big fight that I'm looking forward to.
7. Is it true that there is a one out of three chance in DREAM that you could face Sergey Kharitonov, who was one of the most well-rounded fighters in PRIDE?
Mirko: It's possible, it depends on DREAM, I want to fight against well known, great fighters.
8. Do you think that worldwide media is being a little bit unfair to you, after you spoiled them with an almost perfect score in last few years? After a brilliant open weight Grand Prix finale, you suffered two defeats, which made many people say that you are finished and that you have never been a top fighter.
Mirko: I don't think about this, my job is to fight and to do the best I can. Everyone can have an opinion, but in order to have a complete picture about this sport, people should try it themselves. A low motivation is a major problem for a fighter, and opinions like this are actually very motivating.
9. Your trademark is the worldwide famous high kick. You destroyed dozens of opponents with that kick, but exactly the same kick was devastating for you against Gonzaga. Is it hard to get back on track after such a loss and is it mentally tough to get back to the ring/cage again?
Mirko: My biggest problem in the UFC was a mental blockade, I spoke about it a few times already. I was empty, my motivation was low, I had no real desire to win the fight. It's very expensive in a fight.
10. Do you have any regrets about joining the UFC? I believe the difference was bigger than you could imagine. The cage, the rules, the audience, even the fighting style. Have you been surprised by the quality of UFC fighters - it was a common belief that PRIDE fighters were better?
Mirko: It's just another lesson for me. The UFC has some great fighters and the game is very different. The cage makes a difference too, but I'm looking forward to my return to the cage as I want to prove that I can be successful in it.
11. You announced that you'll return to the UFC and fight Gonzaga, Kongo and Nogueira again?
Mirko: All options are open but in this moment I only think about my next fight.
12. Your former sparring partner and BJJ trainer, Fabrizio Werdum, is getting better and more successful. Some credits probably go to your team where Fabricio learned a majority of his stand-up techniques. How is your relation with Werdum at the moment, there were even stories told that you could fight him in the UFC?
Mirko: It's a fair relationship, we trained together and we separated in a friendly manner.
13. News about you is always very popular among Index's readers. Do you surf the net yourself? You have your own blog now?
Mirko: I'm relatively often online, I get around better. Almost every evening I visit Index's website after my training, it contains very interesting news. Since a while I also have my own blog on www.mma-id.com where I post the latest information about my trainings, career and other interesting things.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
UFC 84 Card
UFC 84 Bouts (officially announced):
-B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk
-Keith Jardine vs. Wanderlei Silva
-Lyoto Machida vs. Tito Ortiz
-Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic
-Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes
-Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
UFC 84 Bouts (unannounced):
-Rousimar Palhares vs. Ivan Salaverry
-Dong-hyun Kim vs. Jason Tan
-Terry Etim vs. Jeremy Stephens
-Shane Carwin vs. Christian Wellisch
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
"I WILL DIE FOR MY COUNTRY"
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Mar 2008
Filipino ring gladiator and national treasure Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring tomorrow determined to finish some unfinished business when he engages WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a fight fans dream rematch before a sell-out crowd at the plush Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
In one of his last workouts Pacquiao ripped the punch mitts screaming ”I will die for my country! Mabuhay Filipinas!” even as he appealed to his countrymen to come together to enjoy his fights and also in national unity.
The story of Pacquiao is a rags to riches story that dreamers weave and a whole new generation of young Filipinos seek to emulate.
Four years after their sensational first encounter in which Pacquiao dropped Marquez three times in the opening round with his awesome left but was amazed as the Mexican fought back to turn the tide for several rounds before Pacquiao recovered with a vengeance, nailed Marquez and earned a draw which both sides were unhappy about.
Pacquiao said later he “couldn’t believe it” even as celebrated trainer Freddie Roach told HBO Sports that after the “three knockdowns in the first round I thought the fight was over.”
Both Pacquiao and Marquez made it clear they didn’t want Joe Cortez who refereed their first clash and also the first Pacquiao-Erik “El Terrible” Morales battle to be appointed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission which apparently took their sentiments into consideration and named Kenny Bayless who handled Pacquiao-Morales II as the third man in the ring.
After going their separate ways with Pacquiao opting to stick with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Marquez leaving Arum and joining Golden Boy Promotions after Arum junked a planned rematch with Pacquiao for the first fight in an epic trilogy between Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Pacquiao, the two sides have finally got what they both longed for – a chance to finish some “Unfinished Business.”
The fight card will be telecast by Solar Sports in cooperation with GMA 7 and will also be shown on pay-per-view over Dream Satellite TV and in several theaters throughout the country.
The nation’s life is certain to grind to a halt as fight fans, families and friends gather around television sets in their homes or public venues to watch the Philippines most popular personality by far, strive once again to enhance the pride and glory he brings to the country even as he continues to appeal for national unity.
The fight may be just as difficult as achieving national unity. A poll among twenty experts handpicked by the “Bible” of boxing Ring Magazine was dead even, 10-10, with Pacquiao evening it up through the magazine’s Philippine correspondent Ted Lerner and this reporter picking Pacquiao to win. But while the Ring chosen experts were deadlocked, the magazine’s respected editor-in-chief Nigel Collins predicted that Pacquiao, being the great fighter he is will win “convincingly” over a very good fighter, Marquez.
Among those who have regularly visited the Wild Card Gym to provide Pacquiao with moral support have been Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, the “Living Legend” of Philippine basketball, former Sen. Robert Jaworski and the Filipino member of the hit group Black Eyed Peas Apple Pineda.
Also expected to be at special ringside aside from Jaworski will be his brother-in-law Sen. Bong Revilla and a host of other government officials led by Vice president Noli De Castro and Speaker Prospero Nograles.
Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez says Marquez has “mentally prepared like there’s no tomorrow” for the rematch which will be telecast by Solar Sports in cooperation with GMA 7.
On the eve of the fight Gomez told Viva Sports/Manila Standard, “obviously Marquez feels he has the advantage because to him its do or die. He’s got to win this fight if not, there’s nothing after this.” For Pacquiao he’s got bigger and better things while for Marquez it doesn’t get any bigger than this.”
The Golden Boy executive said Marquez’s “mentality is very, very good right now and it looks like his body has built up already to a 130 pounds” pointing out that when he fought Marco Antonio Barrera last year that was the first time he moved up to 130 and he still looked a little small but now he looks a lot bigger. He’s built himself into that weight.”
Gomez however conceded that Marquez who is promoted by Golden Boy has a “very , very tough task because he’s fighting the best fighter in the world. Manny is the best fighter right now and he’s the top guy and Marquez has a very tall hill to climb.”
Gomez who watched Marquez train at the Romanza Gym in Mexico City said he expects it to be a very tough fight but that Marquez was “in the best shape I have ever seen him.”
Top photo: Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, poses for photos on the scales during an official weigh-in ceremony at the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino in Las Vegas on Friday, March 14, 2008. Pacquiao will challenge Juan Manuel Marquez, of Mexico, in a 12-round WBC super featherweight title match on Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fedor Re-Negotiating With the UFC
by Damian Sarcuni
According to MMA fightline, Fedor Emelianenko's management has re-opened negotiations with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Their goal remains to set up a one-time fight between Fedor (27-1) and Randy Couture (16-8) that would take place inside the UFC. In order to make this happen, Couture would have to drop his current lawsuit against the UFC.
Couture has previously stated that a bout against Emelianenko is the only fight that he is interested in at this time. It should also be mentioned, however, that the UFC is rarely interested in signing fighters for one-fight contracts, and that this will likely be a detrimental factor in negotiations.
According to MMA fightline, Fedor Emelianenko's management has re-opened negotiations with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Their goal remains to set up a one-time fight between Fedor (27-1) and Randy Couture (16-8) that would take place inside the UFC. In order to make this happen, Couture would have to drop his current lawsuit against the UFC.
Couture has previously stated that a bout against Emelianenko is the only fight that he is interested in at this time. It should also be mentioned, however, that the UFC is rarely interested in signing fighters for one-fight contracts, and that this will likely be a detrimental factor in negotiations.
Dream1 Today!
Fight Card
DREAM 1: MARCH 15, 2008
venue: Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Lightweight Grand Prix (16-man tournament):
-Tatsuya Kawajiri (#2 Lightweight in the World)* vs. Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill
-Shinya Aoki (#3 Lightweight in the World)* vs. Gesias "JZ" Calvancante (#4 Lightweight in the World)*
-Mitsuhiro Ishida (#5 Lightweight in the World)* vs. Jung Bu-Kyung
-Joachim Hansen (#10 Lightweight in the World)* vs. Koutetsu Boku
-Kazuyuki Miyata vs. Luiz "Buscape" Firmino
-Andre "Dida" Amade vs. Eddie Alvarez
-Artur Oumakhanov vs. Katsuhiko Nagata
Non-Tournament Bouts:
-Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (#8 Heavyweight in the World)* vs. MIZUNO TATSUYA
-Hayato "Mach" Sakurai vs. Hidetaka Monma
-Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Lee Gwan
* Based on MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings
- DREAM EVENTS LIKELY TO AIR ON HDNET
Saturday, March 15, 2008 - by MMAWeekly.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As television deals seem to be falling into place left and right in the mixed martial arts industry, Fight Entertainment Group, the primary partner behind the new Dream mixed martial arts promotion in Japan, has agreed to an American broadcasting deal with HDNet, according to sources close to the negotiations.
Although no contracts have been signed, FEG and HDNet have reportedly agreed to the primary terms of the deal, which would air the promotion’s April 29 Dream event on a tape-delayed, same day telecast. The remainder of the promotion’s events for 2008 could possibly air on a live basis, but that has not yet been determined.
MMAWeekly.com sources indicated that Saturday’s Dream.1 event could possibly air at a later date, but would not be live or on a same day delay. A report from Sherdog.com on Friday night corroborated that information, stating that Mike Kogan, Director of FEGUSA, Inc., indicated that Dream.1 could possibly air sometime next week on HDNet.
Officials from neither organization would confirm that an agreement had been finalized, saying only that they were in ongoing negotiations.
The news follows the official announcement of at least four EliteXC events per year airing on the CBS television network and a likely agreement between Strikeforce and NBC.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
No Retreat No Surrender
Sorry but everyone excited about Never Back Down must not be aware that this movie was made 23 years ago
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
World Victory Road Video
I will post videos as I find them here's the opening
Nick Thompson vs. Fabricio Monteiro
Ryo Kawamura vs. Antonio Braga Neto
Evangelista vs. Santos Makoto Takimoto
Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Peter Graham
Kazuo Misaki vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
Takanori Gomi vs. Duane Ludwig
Josh Barnett vs. Yoshida
Nick Thompson vs. Fabricio Monteiro
Ryo Kawamura vs. Antonio Braga Neto
Evangelista vs. Santos Makoto Takimoto
Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Peter Graham
Kazuo Misaki vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
Takanori Gomi vs. Duane Ludwig
Josh Barnett vs. Yoshida
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Rua Re-Injures Knee, will undergo Surgery
Source UFC.com
Scheduled to make his return to the Octagon this June against Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 in London, light heavyweight star Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has instead been forced to withdraw from the bout due to a ruptured ACL in his left knee, the same injury he had surgery on to repair last October after his UFC 76 fight with Forrest Griffin.
Surgery on the injured knee will be scheduled shortly, and there is no word on when Rua will be cleared to return to the Octagon.
One of the game’s top 205-pound fighters, the 26-year old Rua was looking to get back in the win column after his defeat at the hands
of Griffin last year, and his bout with Liddell was just the motivation he needed to train like never before.
“I’ve never seen Shogun so motivated for a fight like this in years,” said Rua spokesman Eduardo Alonso. “This was like a new beginning for him.”
Liddell’s opponent for UFC 85, which will be held at London’s O2 Arena on June 7th, will be announced shortly. As for Rua, he promises to be back and better than ever as soon as possible.
“He thanks his fans for all the support,” said Alonso. “It means a lot to him.”
Scheduled to make his return to the Octagon this June against Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 in London, light heavyweight star Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has instead been forced to withdraw from the bout due to a ruptured ACL in his left knee, the same injury he had surgery on to repair last October after his UFC 76 fight with Forrest Griffin.
Surgery on the injured knee will be scheduled shortly, and there is no word on when Rua will be cleared to return to the Octagon.
One of the game’s top 205-pound fighters, the 26-year old Rua was looking to get back in the win column after his defeat at the hands
of Griffin last year, and his bout with Liddell was just the motivation he needed to train like never before.
“I’ve never seen Shogun so motivated for a fight like this in years,” said Rua spokesman Eduardo Alonso. “This was like a new beginning for him.”
Liddell’s opponent for UFC 85, which will be held at London’s O2 Arena on June 7th, will be announced shortly. As for Rua, he promises to be back and better than ever as soon as possible.
“He thanks his fans for all the support,” said Alonso. “It means a lot to him.”
UFC Middleweight Division Top 30
Credit five ounces of pain
Upon further review, the UFC has a deep middleweight division
March 04, 2008 By: Sam Caplan
I’ve gone on the record in the past to say that the UFC didn’t have much depth in its middleweight division. I’ve even said that I think middleweight is the weakest division on the roster. I’d like to take both statements back.
First, the UFC does have a very good middleweight division. Outside of Anderson Silva, you also have legitimate top ten middleweights such as Yushin Okami, Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson, and Nathan Marquardt.
There also also a lot of prospects such as Thales Leites, Ed Herman, Michael Bisping, and Demian Maia.
It occurred to me how much depth that the UFC middleweight division has when I tried to compile a top 30 to get a better understanding of what might lie ahead for Silva. Below is the top 30 that I compiled.
* Current Champion
** Record according to Sherdog.com
MMA = Lifetime MMA Record
UFC = Lifetime UFC record
Some people are going to try and debate my rankings, which they are welcomed to do but that’s not why I am posting this top 30. I’m also aware that I’m missing a few middleweights such as Rob Yundt.
I am posting it to illustrate that the UFC really does have a deep middleweight division, it’s just a situation where, with the exception of Okami, Silva has already dominated the best the division has to offer.
Silva is not an opportunistic fighter. He’s the king of the deepest middleweight division in all of MMA. His reign is legit. Parity is an element that exists in most of the UFC’s weight classes, except for 185 lbs. But how can the UFC remedy the situation?
Once you get past the top tier of guys like Henderson, Franklin, and Marquardt, you have a second tier of guys like Leben, Herman, Leites, etc. In the case of Leben, Silva has already destroyed him. But when you look at the other second-tier guys, are there any names that you’d really be excited about if they were matched up with Silva? Maybe Bisping if he can beat a couple of top guys, but for right now, that’s it.
Fedor was pretty dominant but there was still a matchup against Josh Barnett that never took place so it’s tough to suggest that he cleaned out the PRIDE heavyweight division. Once Silva beats Okami, he will legitimately have cleaned out a division and there will be no one on the horizon for him that’s currently in the UFC.
Is it possible for a fighter to be too dominant for his own good?
Upon further review, the UFC has a deep middleweight division
March 04, 2008 By: Sam Caplan
I’ve gone on the record in the past to say that the UFC didn’t have much depth in its middleweight division. I’ve even said that I think middleweight is the weakest division on the roster. I’d like to take both statements back.
First, the UFC does have a very good middleweight division. Outside of Anderson Silva, you also have legitimate top ten middleweights such as Yushin Okami, Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson, and Nathan Marquardt.
There also also a lot of prospects such as Thales Leites, Ed Herman, Michael Bisping, and Demian Maia.
It occurred to me how much depth that the UFC middleweight division has when I tried to compile a top 30 to get a better understanding of what might lie ahead for Silva. Below is the top 30 that I compiled.
* Current Champion
** Record according to Sherdog.com
MMA = Lifetime MMA Record
UFC = Lifetime UFC record
Some people are going to try and debate my rankings, which they are welcomed to do but that’s not why I am posting this top 30. I’m also aware that I’m missing a few middleweights such as Rob Yundt.
I am posting it to illustrate that the UFC really does have a deep middleweight division, it’s just a situation where, with the exception of Okami, Silva has already dominated the best the division has to offer.
Silva is not an opportunistic fighter. He’s the king of the deepest middleweight division in all of MMA. His reign is legit. Parity is an element that exists in most of the UFC’s weight classes, except for 185 lbs. But how can the UFC remedy the situation?
Once you get past the top tier of guys like Henderson, Franklin, and Marquardt, you have a second tier of guys like Leben, Herman, Leites, etc. In the case of Leben, Silva has already destroyed him. But when you look at the other second-tier guys, are there any names that you’d really be excited about if they were matched up with Silva? Maybe Bisping if he can beat a couple of top guys, but for right now, that’s it.
Fedor was pretty dominant but there was still a matchup against Josh Barnett that never took place so it’s tough to suggest that he cleaned out the PRIDE heavyweight division. Once Silva beats Okami, he will legitimately have cleaned out a division and there will be no one on the horizon for him that’s currently in the UFC.
Is it possible for a fighter to be too dominant for his own good?
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