Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic earned a guaranteed $350,000 for less than five minutes of work inside the Octagon against Eddie Sanchez at UFC 67, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
This figure, however, does not include a cut of the pay-per-view (PPV) buys, bonuses or any other payments that may or may not be included in his two-year, six-fight contract.
Certainly, it was a fruitful “long” weekend for the Croatian — especially as far as UFC payouts are concerned.
When you consider that Zuffa shelled out $250,000 for its golden boy, Chuck Liddell, after UFC 66, you begin to understand how important acquiring Cro Cop was to UFC executives.
However, Cro Cop was a no show at the pre- and post-fight press conferences. And, for his fight, he walked out to the PRIDE FC theme music, which UFC President Dana White apparently approved.
Without a doubt, behind-the-scenes White has to be a little miffed that his most well-paid fighter to date is kind of just doing whatever he wants and not necessarily connecting with UFC fans.
In public, White certainly isn’t showing his hand just yet, according to 570news.com.
Here’s a snip from White on Cro Cop’s choice of music:
“Whatever fires you up, man. If it’s the Pride theme, go for it.”
Cro Cop is tentatively scheduled to fight next at UFC 70 in Manchester, England on April 21 — an opponent has not been named.
It will be interesting to see if UFC 67 was just a learning experience and things change the next time around. Or, if Cro Cop continues to just do his talking inside the Octagon.
Wait, he doesn’t even do that …
Stay tuned for more UFC 67 fighter salaries.
17 Comments »
Is it to early for UFC 70 - “Cro Cop vs. Arlovski”?
For those $$$ I’m sure the UFC is going to want to put him against some top guys… How about he fights Brandon Vera.
I can’t wait to see him against Tim Sylvia!!!!!
If I was Dana I just might just wonder towards the validity of Nobuyuki’s comments that Cro Cop’s a spy sent to recruit fans and fighters. While pride has many issues it needs to work out I’m sure a spy in an enemy encampment along with the new face thier putting together is something Ed is working on and the Fertitta brothers along with Dana should worry about. Sure I can see the fun and excitement of wathing Mirko knock people out for now, but what happens if he wins big fights and big fans then subverts your fighters takes your money and goes back to pride with an agreement for bigger compansation. This is classic Sun Tzu strategy, just be watchful and not prideful Dana.
there is no one in the ufc that can beat cro cop no one he already has the heavyweight div on lock. rampage is the next light heavyweight champ anderson silva will be champ for a long time sanchez will be champ in his div melvin gullard will be champ in light weights
he will stay in ufc as long as they are the highest bidder, either way we will stay be able to see him fight
Beezlebub I agree with ya, Cro Cop will stay as long as we pay him… and not BOO him. I believe Zuffa will bring in other fighters like Big Nog. or eventually Fedor. And to Matt I dont fully agree with your statement either, Silva will be given some competition I like him I hope he stays champ. Lidell beats Rampage, Cro Cop should take the belt. Sanchez will not beat GSP, but it will be a good match and Gullard has his work cut out for him.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. The UFC was so desperate for an infusion into the Heavyweight division that they basically had to cater to Cro Cop. Don’t read into the Pride music too much. It could just be him paying homage to the fans who know him from there. Cro Cop is a great addition to the UFC and worth the money. Let’s face it, Boxers are getting Millions and they’re not pulling the numbers the UFC is pulling. I went to a place that shows the pay per view on big screens and they sell out every UFC event. Boxing, they don’t even charge to watch cause no one comes out anyway to see it. I do agree that the UFC has an over abundance has-been fighters or weak fighters. It’s there own fault trying to make hometown boys superstars. Good personality don’t make you a strong fighter. Look at Rashad Evans, beware of him in your light weight division plans.
Cro Cop v. Arvloski is a dream fight that I have been waiting for..
I would love to see that happen, but it may be too soon for a superfight like that..
Maybe feed him Vera, since Vera has one fight left on his contract?
ufc-pride who cares. i’ve been waiting for cro-cop to come over and swallow up all in his path for a while. some may give him problems but can anyone besides fedor and maybe another( if they’re as freakishly strong and lucky as randleman). and on another note what if gomi defects…..
Next heavyweight champ: Brandon Vera (If he stays)
Next Light-Heavyweight: Lyoto Machida
Next Middle-Weight Champ: Franklin will take it back.
Next Welter-Weight Champ: St.Pierre will be here a long time, with only Jon Fitch as a possible contender.
Next Lightweight Champ: Who cares.
Bank on these.
Tommy, where did you get that from? The “spy” thing. I don’t remember any of that.
I’m surprised they got him in a two year, six fight deal…but I could see Cro Cop being a spy for Pride…mainly because he just won the Open-weight Grand Prix and is considered a champion in Pride now along side Fedor…and by giving up Cro Cop to the UFC is kind of a win win almost for Pride…they get to keep Fedor as Heavyweight Champion, and they get to have their Grand Prix Champion go out to fight in the UFC and destroy the competition and take the Heavyweight belt there…then Cro Cop would definitely want a rematch with Fedor, and Pride would hopefully have Fedor beat Cro Cop again, and be the undisputed Heavyweight Champion…lol, yah, far fetched…
coutore is the next heavyweight champ its inevitable! he will win it one last time!
and franklin will not take the middleweigh tchamp back
and NO ONE will beat liddell