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?

source: http://www.mmacube.com