Cro Cop settles the rumours

Cro Cop conducted an interview index.hr with regarding the whole situation he has been put into. This is a great interview that should clear some things up between Cro Cop and his fans. 

I have nothing to hide or to be ashamed of. The thing is very simple. I know the truth and Dana knows the truth – I had a one fight deal with UFC and I fulfilled my contractual obligation. I said we're gonna sit down and talk after UFC 99.

SO WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?

The problem is I'm 35 and I'm finally healthy. UFC is offering me a fight 6 months from now. Even before UFC 99 I said that won't work for me, but they said something like they're gonna change it. I said even before that I wanna fight 3 more times this year, I don't really care if it's ring or octagon.

JAPANESE HAVE BETTER OFFER?

I'm a big star in Japan and I can be on every card I want there. I have a lot of fans there who want me to return. They offer me way more fights and more often, and there is always a possibility that a fight with Fedor could occur – that is my priority.

WHAT ABOUT „I DON?T KNOW IF I'LL WIN THE UFC BELT BUT I'LL DIE TRYING“?

I still stand behind my words and I know the best fighters are in the UFC. It wasn't that belt so much, but if they're offering me one fight in the next 6 months I don't see how I could take it. I said that when I thought things will go in another direction. That belt is still my goal – bit I want to have a couple of fights in a next few months.

DID YOU SIGN WITH ANY ORG? DANA LOST HIS TEMPER AND SAID YOU TRICKED HIM

The thing was blown out of proportions. All of this, besides being a sport is a big business too. They know in the UFC I did my part of the deal so I don't think we'll have any problems. I haven't signet nothing yet with any org, and as I said – I'm prepared to talk with both sides. I've never been in a sweeter yet more difficult position. Dream offers me more fights, but at the other hand I'm aware of the quality that is in UFC.

AND WHAT NOW?

I really don't know. I have to consider it and see. I don't see why I wouldn't fight in Japan a few fights and then return to UFC. That is also an option. What matters is that i feel  great physically. I can almost say never felt  better.

HOW DID IT FEEL TO FIGHT IN KOELN?

Magnificent. Really great. Checkered items all around, Croatian flags, everybody cheering. I almost felt bad for my opponent at one time cause thy were booing him. I would like to fight again in that kind of atmosphere. I've felt like home. That is the stuff that keeps me in training, adrenaline is indescribable. I wouldn't change that for nothing.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE, IF WE DON'T TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THAT YOU'RE NOT READY 100% YET?

I'm very pleased all things considering. You saw I didn't throw one kick, and that is my biggest weapon- I knew that before the fight and i focused only on my wrestling and boxing. My leg is OK, but I'm still afraid of rotations, In a few months it will be OK completely. I'm at 50% now.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF AL TURK? IS HE A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE SURPRISE?

He had a positive impact on me. He started very strong, with  wide crosses, trying to get to my chin. Then he tried to shoot for my legs, but I shrugged him off easily. He didn't have to do that thing with the eye though.

DIDN'T YOU HIT HIM WITH YOUR FINGER IN HIS EYE?

I did. But it was not a strong hit. I literally brushed him. It was more of pushing him away and he just ran in to it. I looked at the judge and he said to keep going. I'm here to fight, right? But there is not a chance that played an important role. He was nearly finished from my strikes before that.

DID YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR PREVIOUS FIGHTS IN UFC? WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT TODAY? DID THAT KO FROM GONZAGA PASSED TROUGH YOU HEAD?

I didn't think about it and I don't regret anything. I entered the cage then motivated by money, not my desire to win. Today is a different story. Besides, I improved a lot. Especially in my wrestling techniques, my cardio and strength. And about that KO – it's not a shame to go down, it's a shame not to get up.

YOU SAY YOU IMPROVED YOUR WRESTLING – WHY DON'T YOU FIGHT MORE IN THE GROUND?

Primarilly I'm a striker. But as I said, I worked at my ground game and my throws a lot. Without any false modesty I can say I'm now very good at it. You saw how i tossed Al-Turk twice when he tried to take me down. I'm gonna use that skills a lot more in the future.

NO MATTER WHERE DO YOU FIGHT – WHO ARE THE FIGHTERS YOU WAN'T TO FIGHT?

Fedor is my eternal wish, my biggest challange. In UFC I would like to get a chance of a rematch with Nog, and I would like to fight Randy cause he's a legend. But if you wan't the belt you have to fight the best so i don't really care. This Valesquez guy has much perspective as a fighter.

YOU SAID FEDOR IS YOUR WISH. YOU THINK THINGS WOULD BE ANY DIFFERENT NOW?

I think they would. I have exact tactics in my head and I think I would win this time. Before the first fight I had a lot of problems. I was excellently prepared but I got there too soon and I haven't slept for 7 days. I was pulling my mouthpiece out after 3 minutes already. Today is a different story.

YOU ARE MORE READY TODAY?

Much more. All test show I have a body of a 25 year old man. My cardio is of the charts, I have 233 lbs of muscle and I've never been stronger.

YOU ARE 35 AND GOING TOWARDS THE END OF YOUR CAREER – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE YOUNG GUYS – ZELG AND RELJIĆ?

I think they are good. I don't know Goran too good, but Zelg is a good fighter. I think he neglected his ground game and he should work on it to be a more complete fighter.

WHAT ABOUT IGOR PROKRAJAC SIGNING WITH STRIKEFORCE?

„I don't know the details, so i can't say nothing for sure, but he definitely deserved a chance. I will do everything I can to help him and he has to take advantage of a chance if he gets it.

 

 


source: http://www.mmacube.com

Mirko "Cro Cop" set to return at UFC 99 Against Mustapha al-Turk

A recent announcement from Mirko Cro Cop's blog has stated that the Heavyweight will return to the Octagon in June at UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany against Mustapha al-Turk.

“I decided to fight in the UFC again, because of the stronger competition in the heavyweight division. My next opponent will be Mustapha Al-Turk. I didn’t do well in my first three appearances - I wasn’t myself. By returning to the cage I want to prove that I can still fight at highest level, no matter when or where. It’s hard to talk about concrete plans, but I would really like to fight at least three times this year. I wish to fight against quality opponents and to fight my way up to a title shot but for now, I’ll focus only on my next fight and after that we’ll see what’s going to be on the menu next. I want to say thank you Mr. Dana White for your interest and for an invitation back to the UFC. I owe you a lot from our first deal, and I’ll make it up to you.”

UFC rumoured to host Australian event in February 2010

According to fightersonlymagazine.co.uk the UFC may be holding an event at the Acer Arena in Sydney next year.

UFC's president Dana White has made his intentions clear that he wants to stage an event in Australia, and the Acer Arena may be the ideal venue as it can accommodate just over 20,000.

Don King and Partners to Enter MMA

Recent news from MMAJunkie indicates that the infamous, yet highly successful boxing promoter Don King is set to make his first venture into MMA along with business partner Ross Mandell. King has been appointed as an advisor to a group of wealthy Wall Street Investors who are looking to make inroads into the MMA Scene. They chose King because of his successful track record of promoting boxing events, and because of his industry knowledge of the fight game.

Not much has been revealled about the new business venture and promotion, however it is likely to involve an exclusive television deal, and plans on promoting bouts in multiple weight classes with both male and female fighters   

Fedor to meet with UFC to discuss possible fight with Brock Lesnar

According to Adam Baker of Dreamfighters.com, the WAMMA heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko has stated that he may meet in the near future with UFC President Dana White. According to Fedor, discussions are likely to be focused on a possible matchup between Fedor and the current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. Emelianenko competed recently against former UFC Heavyweight title holder Andrei Arlovski and defeated him in the first round via KO.

Fedor is currently still contracted to M1 Global, so discussions may focus on an agreement between the UFC and M1 with a Co-Promotion a possible outcome.

Justin Eilers shot dead

According to Sherdog, Justin Eilers was recently shot dead during a domestic disturbance in Idaho.

An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the chest which had pierced his lung before exiting his body.

Eilers, a former linebacker for Iowa State, was introduced to Mixed Martial Arts by close friend Jens Pulver. Eiler, 30 years old, had made several appearances in the UFC, but was more recently featured in the EliteXC tournament.

Chuck Liddell Considering a move to Heavyweight to face Randy Couture

A strong source has indicated to bloody elbow that Chuck Liddel is currently in negotiations to move up to the heavyweight class in an attempt to have another match with Randy Couture. If the fight goes ahead it will happen in Cologne, Germany on the 13th of June next year.

The UFC is keen to have Randy Couture on the card because he can speak German and would be useful for the promotion of the event. Despite his recent loss, couture appears to be uninterested in moving down to 205 where Forrest Griffin is champion and Wanderlei Silva is also a serious contender. Both fighters train at Xtreme Couture and are close friends of Couture. Chuck Liddell has mentioned that he is finding it harder to cut weight at his age, and he feels that with a win in the Heavyweight class he could be a contender. 

Evan Tanner found dead at 37

Sad news that Evan Tanner has passed away at the age of 37. According to MMA Weekly Tanner was found in the middle of the Palo Verde mountain area of the Southern Californian. Tanner's manager said that Evan had gone out to the desert on a motorcyle expedition, and apparently the bike had run out of gas. Tanner tried walking back but likely dies from exposure due to the extreme high temperatures. Tanner's manager says that Evan was in a positive frame of mind and was enjoying life. It is a very sad day for the MMA community and Evan will be sorely missed as one of the more memorable fighters and former Middleweight Champion of the UFC.

Randy Couture returning to the UFC

Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture is set to return to the Octagon for UFC 91 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov 15.

After a public split with the UFC, Randy Couture has agreed to return to the UFC and face Brock Lesnar. Dana White has confirmed that the ongoing legal stouche between Couture and the UFC has finally been resolved, and that comprimised were made on both sides. The winner of the bout between Couture and Lesnar will meet the winner of the fight between Interim Heavyweight Champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir.

White has also conveyed that he would still like Fedor in the UFC, and while every effort is being made to attract him to the organisation, there have been some difficulties with the nature of the Russian's contract.

Rumours of Couture vs Emelianenko in early 2009

According to MMA Junkie (courtesy of Couture's training camp), there is a distinct possibility that the heavyweight superfight of the century could occur between Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko in January or February of next year.

Although still in the negotiations stage, it appears that representatives of both fighters and the UFC are working on bringing the two legends together. Couture has remained in shape during his layoff period, but his workouts have reportedly been focused towards an apparent up and coming bout with a much larger opponent - possibly Brock Lesnar. Speculation has it that it may be a condition that Couture defeats Lesnar in order to get a shot at Fedor.