Mirko Filipović (born September 10, 1974) is a professional Croatian Heavyweight kickboxer, mixed martial artist and former law enforcement officer. Filipović was a member of the Croatian Parliament from 2003 through 2007. His nickname, Cro Cop, short for "Croatian Cop", comes from his membership in the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, Croatia's elite Police Special Forces tactical unit.
Filipović has been successful in both K-1 and Pride Fighting Championships. On September 10, 2006, he won the Pride 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix, and in 2007 began fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Filipović is famous for his left high kicks, with which he has knocked out many of his opponents. He has been famously quoted as describing his kicks as, "Right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery.
Filipović has been successful in both K-1 and Pride Fighting Championships. On September 10, 2006, he won the Pride 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix, and in 2007 began fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Filipović is famous for his left high kicks, with which he has knocked out many of his opponents. He has been famously quoted as describing his kicks as, "Right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery.
Return to the UFC
Mirko Filipović defeated Patrick Barry at UFC 115.
On May 18 Filipović issued a press release on his official website and his MMAid account stating his scheduled return to the UFC. His first match upon returning was at UFC 99 in Germany against Mostapha Al-turk. During the bout, Filipović knocked down Al-Turk with punches within the first round, then allowed him to stand. The fight ended when Filipović finished Al-turk after hurting him with a punch to the eye.
After the one-fight agreement with the UFC, it was announced Filipović was scheduled to return to Dream to face Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga on July 20 at Dream.10.[18] On July 3, 2009 however, it was reported that he might have re-signed with the UFC after getting an offer "he couldn't refuse" by UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta who personally flew to Filipović's residence in Zagreb.[19] It was later confirmed at the UFC Fan Expo by Fertitta that Filipović had indeed signed a three fight contract with the UFC.[20]
Filipović fought Junior dos Santos at UFC 103. During the third round, Filipović sustained a punch to his left eye that caused him to wave his hand at the referee saying "I can't see". The fight was stopped due to submission, giving Dos Santos the win. After the fight, Filipović showed signs of depression, commenting he felt like "hanging [himself] in my hotel room".[21] A few days later, Filipović seemed more upbeat, and looked to continue his career, saying fighting is the only life he knows, and at least wants to honour the last two fights on his UFC contract. He was quoted as saying "I did a few things wrong in training and in preparation for the Dos Santos fight, and will find the motivation and strength needed to come back".
Since then, Filipović has hired legendary former Muay Thai champion Ivan Hippolyte and revamped his whole training team. The source went on to say "After the defeat by Dos Santos, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic has announced drastic changes in the training methods and composition of Team CroCop. Marjan Zizanovic is no longer his boxing coach. Instead, Cro Cop is now working with the Dutch Muay Thai legend Ivan Hippolyte, who these days resides in Zagreb. Filipović will combine training at his own facility with visits to the Netherlands where he can train with top-notch sparring partners. Igor Pokrajac, Cro Cop’s long-time friend and sparring partner, is also no longer in Filipović's team. Pokrajac continues his career with the UFC, but is no longer training with Filipović although the pair remain on good terms."
Filipović has stated that he plans to fight at least three times in 2010.[22][23]
Filipović was scheduled to face Ben Rothwell on February 21, 2010 at UFC 110.[24] Just days before the fight, Rothwell was forced to withdraw from the event because of an illness.[25] Australian fighter Anthony Perosh stepped in to replace Rothwell.[26]
During the fight, Filipović dominated for two rounds before opening a cut on Perosh's forehead which forced a doctor stoppage before the third round and awarded the TKO win to Filipović. Filipović fought despite receiving a cut in training that required stitches.[27]
Filipović next fought against Patrick Barry at UFC 115 in Vancouver, after an original planned fight with Ben Rothwell.[28] After being knocked down twice to the canvas in the first round by Barry's strikes, he won the second round after utilizing his ground game. The third round saw Filipović open up with a head kick followed by an axe kick to Barry's head. He ended the fight with a strong flurry, dropping Barry against the cage where he continued his assault with numerous punches to the face. He then took his back and defeated Barry by rear naked choke with no hooks, earning him Submission of the Night honors which Mirko had joked to Dana White and the crowd earlier that he deserved it.
Prior to the Barry fight, Filipović was detained by Canadian officials, who threatened to deport him. He revealed that the Canadian officials had asked for details of his activities in the Lucko ATJ (anti-terrorist unit) that he had joined a few years after the Croatian War of Independence. Filipović was held for a total of six hours, across two days.[29]
Filipović is now expected to face Frank Mir on September 25, 2010 at UFC 119 in Indianapolis, replacing an injured Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Full biography at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirko_Filipovi%C4%87
Mirko Filipović defeated Patrick Barry at UFC 115.
On May 18 Filipović issued a press release on his official website and his MMAid account stating his scheduled return to the UFC. His first match upon returning was at UFC 99 in Germany against Mostapha Al-turk. During the bout, Filipović knocked down Al-Turk with punches within the first round, then allowed him to stand. The fight ended when Filipović finished Al-turk after hurting him with a punch to the eye.
After the one-fight agreement with the UFC, it was announced Filipović was scheduled to return to Dream to face Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga on July 20 at Dream.10.[18] On July 3, 2009 however, it was reported that he might have re-signed with the UFC after getting an offer "he couldn't refuse" by UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta who personally flew to Filipović's residence in Zagreb.[19] It was later confirmed at the UFC Fan Expo by Fertitta that Filipović had indeed signed a three fight contract with the UFC.[20]
Filipović fought Junior dos Santos at UFC 103. During the third round, Filipović sustained a punch to his left eye that caused him to wave his hand at the referee saying "I can't see". The fight was stopped due to submission, giving Dos Santos the win. After the fight, Filipović showed signs of depression, commenting he felt like "hanging [himself] in my hotel room".[21] A few days later, Filipović seemed more upbeat, and looked to continue his career, saying fighting is the only life he knows, and at least wants to honour the last two fights on his UFC contract. He was quoted as saying "I did a few things wrong in training and in preparation for the Dos Santos fight, and will find the motivation and strength needed to come back".
Since then, Filipović has hired legendary former Muay Thai champion Ivan Hippolyte and revamped his whole training team. The source went on to say "After the defeat by Dos Santos, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic has announced drastic changes in the training methods and composition of Team CroCop. Marjan Zizanovic is no longer his boxing coach. Instead, Cro Cop is now working with the Dutch Muay Thai legend Ivan Hippolyte, who these days resides in Zagreb. Filipović will combine training at his own facility with visits to the Netherlands where he can train with top-notch sparring partners. Igor Pokrajac, Cro Cop’s long-time friend and sparring partner, is also no longer in Filipović's team. Pokrajac continues his career with the UFC, but is no longer training with Filipović although the pair remain on good terms."
Filipović has stated that he plans to fight at least three times in 2010.[22][23]
Filipović was scheduled to face Ben Rothwell on February 21, 2010 at UFC 110.[24] Just days before the fight, Rothwell was forced to withdraw from the event because of an illness.[25] Australian fighter Anthony Perosh stepped in to replace Rothwell.[26]
During the fight, Filipović dominated for two rounds before opening a cut on Perosh's forehead which forced a doctor stoppage before the third round and awarded the TKO win to Filipović. Filipović fought despite receiving a cut in training that required stitches.[27]
Filipović next fought against Patrick Barry at UFC 115 in Vancouver, after an original planned fight with Ben Rothwell.[28] After being knocked down twice to the canvas in the first round by Barry's strikes, he won the second round after utilizing his ground game. The third round saw Filipović open up with a head kick followed by an axe kick to Barry's head. He ended the fight with a strong flurry, dropping Barry against the cage where he continued his assault with numerous punches to the face. He then took his back and defeated Barry by rear naked choke with no hooks, earning him Submission of the Night honors which Mirko had joked to Dana White and the crowd earlier that he deserved it.
Prior to the Barry fight, Filipović was detained by Canadian officials, who threatened to deport him. He revealed that the Canadian officials had asked for details of his activities in the Lucko ATJ (anti-terrorist unit) that he had joined a few years after the Croatian War of Independence. Filipović was held for a total of six hours, across two days.[29]
Filipović is now expected to face Frank Mir on September 25, 2010 at UFC 119 in Indianapolis, replacing an injured Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Full biography at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirko_Filipovi%C4%87
| Mirko Filipović | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Mirko Filipović September 10, 1974 Vinkovci, Croatian SR, Yugoslavia |
| Other names | Cro Cop |
| Residence | Zagreb, Croatia |
| Nationality |  Croatian |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Division | 265 |
| Reach | 73.0 in (185 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing, Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Team | Cro Cop Squad Gym[1] Tigar Gym Vos Gym |
| Trainer | Ivan Hippolyte |
| Years active | 1996–2003 (Kickboxing) 2001–present (MMA) |
| Kickboxing record | |
| MMA record | |
| Total | 38 |
| Wins | 28 |
| By knockout | 21 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Amateur boxing record | |
| Total | 45 |
| Wins | 40 |
| By knockout | 31 |
| Losses | 5 |
