July? I don’t see it, but I hope so…

could you imagine Cro Cop on UFC 73? Put him on 74 would make more sense

can’t wait to see him come back from 70, it seems like his ankle is healing really fast, i guess it wasn’t as bad as i thought it was gonna be…

I guess it takes a beheading to realize that the cage does add a new dimension of strategy. Good for him for not being stubborn.

the cage really diddnt have anything to do with that loss but tis good that hes training in one cause i guy like randy knows how to use that as for the ankle good for him but i doubt he’l be fighting until like august or september

[quote comment="49853"]the cage really diddnt have anything to do with that loss…[/quote]

In his mind it did. Cro Cop said after the fight that he suffered from blurry vision after being GnP’d against the cage and therefore never saw the kick coming…

UFc 73 sounds way too early and yea 74 is better unless Cro Cop has heald that fast.

Wow after such a brutal injury fighting in july? I doubt it, but maybe its not as bad as it looked, no doubt cro cop wants to get back as soon as possible after such a humiliating loss.

[quote comment="49941"]Wow after such a brutal injury fighting in july? I doubt it, but maybe its not as bad as it looked, no doubt cro cop wants to get back as soon as possible after such a humiliating loss.[/quote]

Actually it did looked worse than it was. When you get knocked out you loose up and by that you become somewhat more flexible. Don’t get me wrong, it will still cause an substainable injury, but not as bad as if you would have been concious. I got knocked out in a muay thai tourmament and had my knee in a similiar unnatural position (unnatural as in: it freaked you out if you saw it), but beside torn ligaments nothing happened.

They also say, that your chances of surviving a car crash are higher if you are asleep due to your loose muscles and so on. I am not sure if its true or just a legend – don’t wanna try it.

who do you guys think he will fight next assuming he fights at 73, considering who’s not tied up in the near future…
Brandon Vera? Jeff Monson? Arlovski?

Whos he supposed to fight? I agree wait until 74

When i saw Mirko’s leg go under his thigh like the awkward way it did, i was like”uh oh he’s f’ked”. But i guess Mirko’s leg is recovering quick enough for a possible bout in July? Against who?

[quote comment="49950"]who do you guys think he will fight next assuming he fights at 73, considering who’s not tied up in the near future…
Brandon Vera? Jeff Monson? Arlovski?[/quote]

Dude Monson ain’t even in the UFC anymore. Probably Vera. At least that’s what CC would want.

The terrain you do battle on is one of the most important elements in any form of combat. Sun-Tze taught that thousands of years ago. Mirko, being a warrior, should have known that. But, he’s adapting. Another of Master Sun’s teachings…

better late than never. he better train defending elbows and forearm also. i personally would like to see him fight aa. probably wont have to worry about it going to the ground much.

he better learn to sprawl.

I dont think I’ve ever seen Mirko do a good sprawl.

[quote comment="50007"]he better learn to sprawl.

I dont think I’ve ever seen Mirko do a good sprawl.[/quote]
true.

Dude CC has a great sprawl. Watch the ancient pride footage. His sprawl aint nothin to complain about. When GG took him down it was not a sprawl situation. He caught a kick.

[quote comment="50012"][quote comment="50007"]he better learn to sprawl.

I dont think I’ve ever seen Mirko do a good sprawl.[/quote]
true.[/quote]

Then you have never watched Pride FC. Cro-Cop’s sprawl is the best in the sport.

If Nog doesn’t get Vera. I could see CC getting that fight

I am looking forward to seeing him again. I felt that not training in a cage was a little arrogant at first, but now it is more of a ignorance. I love watching his fights, and they always seem to be good action. If I want to see some good striking, cro cop is a good fighter to watch. Most of the time, I prefer a good ground game. One of my favorite fights was the Diaz vs Sanchez fights. I really prefer to see someone will ground skills. I respect the ground and pound, I just do not care for the pace of the fight when in that position. I cannot wait to see BJ penn come back, and I would love to see Bj peen go in with Diaz, or Sanchez, those would be two fights worth watching for me. As for Cro Cop coming back, I hope so. I was a little worried about him not wanting to train hard for fights due to the rumors of him retiring after his UFC contract.

Well thats all for now
Later
Chris Valentine

[quote comment="49964"]Whos he supposed to fight? I agree wait until 74[/quote]
I wish he could get back in time for 72 because that card is hurting. But better to wait and be 100%.

[quote post="2033"]he better learn to sprawl.
I dont think I’ve ever seen Mirko do a good sprawl[/quote]

Have you watched any of his fights beyond his two in the UFC? His sprawl is nothing short of excellent. It took Big Nog shooting about ten times before he got him. I’m still trying to figure out how Blanka caught his kick. Gonzaga’s a big boy but the only other guy I’ve seen catch one of CC kicks is Fedor — and it was a high kick he wiffed on, not a low kick.

The last time he got knocked out (Randleman) I think he got back in the ring two weeks later. He needed a good kick in the ass (not the head). Hopefully he gets it going quick and makes the most of his next 4 fights. The only way I could see him fighting beyond the 4 left on his contract is if it’s Fedor.

[quote comment="49950"]who do you guys think he will fight next assuming he fights at 73, considering who’s not tied up in the near future…
Brandon Vera? Jeff Monson? Arlovski?[/quote]
Vera. Arlovski already gets next on RC/GG.

Full Statement from Mirko-Crocop.com, his official website:

Although the KO he suffered looked deadly, Mirko’s head doesn’t hurt him. But, he is having problems with a swollen right ankle.
“I won’t be doing anything for 2 weeks, won’t even drink vitamins and proteins. I have to clean up my organism. Full of spite, I wanted to train the same evening I got back to Croatia, but I know it would be contraproductive”, Mirko says.
He is feeling guilty for letting down his fans, especially those who came to Manchester to support him. And he doesn’t care about those who took pleasure in his calvary.
“I don’t have to justify myself to anyone. Besides being an amateur boxer for 2 years, thus being paid trips to a few tournaments, the country’s sport system didn’t invest in me. I am my own investment.”
He doesn’t have an excuse for his bad performance. He can’t even explain what happened to him. Although, he can manage to describe the state he was in.
“I don’t have an alibi. It happens in cycles to me. It looks like I blew myself out after winning the Pride OWGP belt. I wasn’t happy even with my first UFC performance. This time I also didn’t decide to engage an exchange of punches. I didn’t have warrior spirit in me. I was lost.”
He adds that besides no initiative, he also didn’t have a strategy.
“All of that didn’t have anything to do with the quality of my preparations and the shape I was in, but it had to do with my focus on the fight and my opponent. Before the fight I was nervous, I was thinking about all sorts of stupid things, I was just in a bad state. Unfortunately, I seem to be that type. I need a rough wake-up call in order to focus again.”
He says he didn’t even see the high-kick:
“After 3 or 4 elbows to the temple, I had blurry vision when I stood up.”
Mirko is announcing changes in his training session. He is going to introduce elbows and elbow defence, which wasn’t present in Pride.
“I’m not used to elbows, but that’s my problem. I’m also going to do

Second you on that one Chris. Can’t wait to see Penn back. Although I believe Penn is the best of the best at or around his weight, and should be in there with Hughes, Pierre, and the best, he is a threat to anybody with a belt.

When GG took him down it was not a sprawl situation. He caught a kick.

Yeah I guess if you ignore the part where GG was ground and pounding him for 30 seconds after a subpar takedown attempt that CC had no answer for. Spare me the “ancient pride footage” shit. We’ve all seen CCs fights. He is a K1 kickboxer with ground skills as an afterthought, he needs to learn a good GSP/Liddell style sprawl to enhance his game.

CC needs to go train in the Pit with Chuck. You couldn’t take that guy down with a shotgun. He made Couture, Horn, Ortiz, Sobral, etc, look silly.

[quote comment="50080"]When GG took him down it was not a sprawl situation. He caught a kick.

Yeah I guess if you ignore the part where GG was ground and pounding him for 30 seconds after a subpar takedown attempt that CC had no answer for. Spare me the “ancient pride footage” shit. We’ve all seen CCs fights. He is a K1 kickboxer with ground skills as an afterthought, he needs to learn a good GSP/Liddell style sprawl to enhance his game.[/quote]

What are you TALKING about?? Are we talking about ground and pound or sprawl? He has a descent sprawl. Dude, do yuo know what a sprawl is? GG caught a kick and took him down. There is no sprawling when somebody has your leg. Like I said, not a sprawling situation. You didnt prove anything.
Ancient pride footage shit? Whatever dude, everyone having seen it or not makes it any less valid? Your crunk dude, go sober up.

Dirty ML: His sprawl is great. If you actaully watch some of his fights it’s apparent. Guys try to take him down all day. The alternative is gettig kicked to submission or catching a straight left. You don’t have the success he’s had without having a decent sprawl, especially if your ground game is average.

Agreed Anomoly. Most of that Pride footage was within the last few years, so I dont think calling it ancient is very accurate. Also, Cro Cop got beat, it happens. I can’t stand the people who immediately want to dump a fighter after he loses a fight. If everyone won when they were supposed to, it wouldnt be nearly as fun to watch.

I hope the UFC gives Vera this fight. The winner gets the shot at the Arlovski/Couture-Gonzaga winner. Big Nog is already fighting Heath Herring, so count him out. Don’t know if CC can make it past him though. Just like Rich Franklin, CC will never be the same.

[quote post="2033"]Don’t know if CC can make it past him though. Just like Rich Franklin, CC will never be the same. [/quote]

He got KNFO by Randleman and came back a month later to go on a tear that eventually earned him a title shot against Fedor. Although not as devastating as the GG KO, Cro Cop said he would have gone back to the lab that nigt if it weren’t for the ankle. CC ain’t Rich Franklin on a few levels. Man’s actually been to war so I don’t think this will affect his psyche nearly as much as you would expect. He’ll be back stronger than before

Yeah Vera seems like the only logical choice at this point. And I agree man, that would be a legit fight.

yea Cro Cop should fight on the UFC 74 card, UFC 73 seems pretty stacked already right…Vera would be an amazing matchup, i loved watching Vera fight until he left i hope he’s still the same fighter in the octagon…also with Cro Cop finally training in an octagon is a great idea.

what do you mean that Rich Franklin won’t be the same Paco?? Franklin destroyed Macdonald in his last fight and it’s too soon to say anything about him being washed up right now…i think he’ll be fine

I came into this argument late, but uh, Crocop’s TD defense is some of the best there is. If you think Liddell’s is better, then you’ve been watching and listening to nothing but Joe Rogan. There are few better than Mirko. Just go ask Fedor, Nog, and Barnett.

Thank God I was goin crazy, yeah dude, he is good, that is not what lost him that fight, like I was sayin, a sprawl dosnt help when you kick and throw your leg as a gift right into the guys hands. (CroCop to GG)
Chuck’s is good no doubt, I can’t really declare who has better TD defense, but the thing that sets Chuck apart in my mind is his ability to just get right back up with relative ease and before anybody can GnP.
CC’s sprawl is not what lost him that fight, it was his lack of ability to do ANYTHING on the ground.

[quote comment="50112"]Thank God I was goin crazy, yeah dude, he is good, that is not what lost him that fight, like I was sayin, a sprawl dosnt help when you kick and throw your leg as a gift right into the guys hands. (CroCop to GG)
Chuck’s is good no doubt, I can’t really declare who has better TD defense, but the thing that sets Chuck apart in my mind is his ability to just get right back up with relative ease and before anybody can GnP.
CC’s sprawl is not what lost him that fight, it was his lack of ability to do ANYTHING on the ground.[/quote]
Oh, man, Liddell’s TD is awesome, but when he has faced a true wrestler or BJJ guy, well Randy aced him, Monson got him down somewhat easily, Quinton did what he wanted, on and on again. Who took Mirko down? Nog didnt. That’s just where it ended up. Um, if the guy isnt named Fedor, I cant think of anyone.
Sprawl had nothing at all to do with Mirko’s takedown and loss, like you said. GG planned on eating a kick to latch the leg. It was his gameplan all along, he didnt figure it would be a gift midkick ( not that the welt left behind was a gift…. ).

Yeah, true, Quinton… I mean, everytime I watch taht I don’t get it. He took Chuck down better than Randy, better than Monson, like you said, easily. Quinton is very unorthodox it looks to me, his striking and TD’s alike. Which I think Chuck had a hard time with. That’s where the keepin him down part comes in that sets him apart to me. People fight there way back up to there feet, Chuck? The guy looks like he casually gets up. Minus the last TD by Rampage and Randy that led CHuck to losing those fights. The Monson fight I have not seen in recent enough time to remember, but knowign that he won that fight tells me that even Monson, being bigger and an awsome ADCC quality grappler, was not succesful at keeping Chuck down.
But hey, Nog submitted CC via armbar, how did that end up on the ground? NOg got him didnt he? Still, Nog and Fedor, that’s it, and those are 2 of the best.

As far as Mirko’s TD, I think he is the shit. I was not to worried about his submission defense, or even his submission skills, I was more worried about his ability to stop GnP elbows, which in the end proved to be his downfall, not the kick. It is obvious to see in the fight that he was getting hit by massive elbows, and for anyone to jump on to here and say it did not effect the outcome they are full of shit. As far as Chucks TD, I aggree that he has amazing TD, but like MTUFC said, its his ability to just “stand up casually” that boggles my mind. Other then Rampage I am blow away with his ability to stand up. His striking is amazing, but I think its his power that makes him a good striker.

If you watch Chuck you will see that he stands in a square position. his hands about 18 to 24 inches apart at times, and his chin higher then a kite, but that draws fighters in. I think his stance allows maximum power, so when he is on a back step, or side angle he can still knock you out.

Well I let this post get away from me.

Later
Chris Valentine

Hey guys one more thing. I just watched the Rampage interview on UFC, and although he is trying to be serous, I just love the way he talks shit about Liddell (respectfully though funny)

http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=Multimedia.home

I’ll be in Brazil during UFC 71, does anyone know if there are PPV’s down there or how I could watch the fight besides waiting for the YouTube uploads to surface?

[quote comment="49948"][quote comment="49941"]Wow after such a brutal injury fighting in july? I doubt it, but maybe its not as bad as it looked, no doubt cro cop wants to get back as soon as possible after such a humiliating loss.[/quote]

Actually it did looked worse than it was. When you get knocked out you loose up and by that you become somewhat more flexible. Don’t get me wrong, it will still cause an substainable injury, but not as bad as if you would have been concious. I got knocked out in a muay thai tourmament and had my knee in a similiar unnatural position (unnatural as in: it freaked you out if you saw it), but beside torn ligaments nothing happened.

They also say, that your chances of surviving a car crash are higher if you are asleep due to your loose muscles and so on. I am not sure if its true or just a legend – don’t wanna try it.[/quote]
yah your right… that happens with drunk drivers a lot too.. they dont tense up in the crash which makes them less likely to get as badly hurt

CHRIS!!! How do you link you name like that to your space? Ya know so you can click on your name?

Where it sails welcome back under leave a reply, click change and then enter the address you wish to link your name to in the box labeled Website.

sails*says, LMAO sorry the Fire fox spell checker!

[quote post="2033"]But hey, Nog submitted CC via armbar, how did that end up on the ground? [/quote]

CC made him look like a bitch throughout the first round. Nog would shoot and he’d defend and then Nog would flop on his back and try to invite the ground game. This went on all first round and Nog took a beating. Props to his chin and heart — early in the second he shoots and takes CC down agaist the ropes. CC, who is pretty spry himself, was able to throw off Nog. The only problem was that as he shot up Nog hung on to his arm like a vice. Great fight, great submission.

I thought he already got a cage ages ago. I hope he figt Timmy Silvia.

[quote comment="50042"][quote post="2033"]he better learn to sprawl.
I dont think I’ve ever seen Mirko do a good sprawl[/quote]

This is obviously someone who dosnt have a clue what hes talking about,cro cops sprawl is one of the best in the game I sugest you watch some of his fights before you comment any further on CC and when you do you will no doubt realise how stupid that comment sounds to people who actualy watch MMA.

As for his return to fighting,why put it off,I think if hes feeling fit and he is well enough to fight then the sooner he gets back the better,I am sure that he wants to get right back in there and I hope he does.
I have a feeling that he is going to have a stronger hunger and drive then ever and we are going to see the baddest crocop ever.
He will have that belt before he retires.

CC’s Sprawl is superior to most, watch his fights. Review them, take more look. CC even admit’s that he needs to get in the cage more and utilize the new size and dynamics of the Cage. CC will definately be back for a few more fight’s thats forsure. CC installing a Cage in his yard will only help adapt to this new style of Western fighting and he knows that!

cro cop is the man! he’s not the head of the croation s.w.a.t team for nothing and the UFC and PRIDE believe it or not is his 2nd job! i would rather step in the ring and get G & P by tito for 5 rounds than go toe to toe with cro cop.

look out for the new future UFC heavy/light heavy weight champion mirko cro cop!

I soooooooooooo wanna see this guy bounce back and be even more of an aminal then he already is.

How about Arlovski? Thats his next fight. July is too soon. Cmon, he just got knocked out, the worst hes got. Cro Cop is the shit and he isnt done. He’ll be the heavy wt champ, next year. Pride needs to conform to the new style of UFC. UFC is totaly different than Pride. Just give him some time and he will dominate.

Its going to be hard for CC to dominate unless he works on the sprawl and BJJ. Its not hard to put to gether a good gameplan against someone like him. I think even without the superfly head kick GG would have beat him .

first of all, I laugh at those who think cro cop has no sprawl. Watch some of his fights. Second, I am also glad he is not being stubborn and starting to train with a cage. I also think 73’s a bit early, especially for a direct head kick KO. How come GSP has to wait 5 events to come back, while cro cop only has to wait 3? GSP wasn’t completely KO’d. I’m pretty sure GSP is cleared for july as well, but I don’t think his injuries are on the same level as cro cop’s.

I think Mirko should go down to 205. Especially if Chuck beats Rampage.

[quote comment="50252"]How come GSP has to wait 5 events to come back, while cro cop only has to wait 3? GSP wasn’t completely KO’d. I’m pretty sure GSP is cleared for july as well, but I don’t think his injuries are on the same level as cro cop’s.[/quote]

I guess thats due to UFC69 being held in the US (various atheltic commissions are in place and therfor medical suspensions have been made), while UFC70 took place in the UK, where there is no commission who has authority over the UFC is in place. UFC has been told to deal with that stuff themselves, which they failed to do (no drug testing etc).

Also remember that july is only a rumor from CC’s surroundings, I also believe that the august event UFC74 would be more likely considering the strong UFC73 card.

I don’t think it really matters who’s he gonna fight? I’m
sure that it will be payback time, and who ever enters the cage with Mirko will have to have that in mind!

[quote comment="50285"]I think Mirko should go down to 205. Especially if Chuck beats Rampage.[/quote]
Why? He’s dominated the heavy-weight division. He’s still ranked top 5.

[quote comment="50007"]he better learn to sprawl.

I dont think I’ve ever seen Mirko do a good sprawl.[/quote]
Take it you have only seen his fights in the UFC. He has the best sprawl and brawl in the game. I’d say better than Chuck.

To end this dopey discussion about Mirkos sprawl and TD, just have a looksy here:

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/crocop/video/xe11g_mirko-crocop-vs-josh-barnett

Points to observe:
CC’s TD def and even when he’s on one leg ( Gonzaga pushed through, Barnett was to0 tired )
CC’s top mount game, knees wide to stop the sprawl, turtle attack with hammerfists, and if only there were elbows…
Watch Barnetts defense. Kung Fu lock on CC’s wrist to stop the strikes, crab guard when the strikes come hard, looking for the sweep and kimura.

Now watch the Napao fight, but reverse the roles. CC’s guard def sucked, period. But, Napao had his knees tight and Mirko could have swept if he was better educated. With CC’s thighs and leg strength is there anyone he couldnt sweep?
I have a feeling that Werdum spent too much time teaching him offensive submissions and not enough time on defense and defensive style subs. When you first learn the arts of any kind you should always focus on defense first, not offense. Defense takes much longer to learn, and is MUCH more important in the end than offense, for a variety of reasons I wont get into here. If he spents four months in Brazil with Coreletta (?) and spents his time on ground defense, the Napao fight will never happen again.

Good points MTufc, I like CC and hopefully his time in Brazil will help his game. I would love nothing more then to see him give poopy a good beating.

[quote post="2033"]knees wide to stop the sprawl[/quote]
I meant sweep, damn my wrists still hurt from the weekend. I Cant wait til my wife is off her period…just kidding, putting up 160 posts for the ADCC tourney just frigging killed me. Carpal Tunnel be damned.

[quote comment="50361"][quote post="2033"]knees wide to stop the sprawl[/quote]
I meant sweep, damn my wrists still hurt from the weekend. I Cant wait til my wife is off her period…just kidding, putting up 160 posts for the ADCC tourney just frigging killed me. Carpal Tunnel be damned.[/quote]
you deserve a bonus for that.

[quote comment="50133"][quote post="2033"]But hey, Nog submitted CC via armbar, how did that end up on the ground? [/quote]

CC made him look like a bitch throughout the first round. Nog would shoot and he’d defend and then Nog would flop on his back and try to invite the ground game. This went on all first round and Nog took a beating. Props to his chin and heart — early in the second he shoots and takes CC down agaist the ropes. CC, who is pretty spry himself, was able to throw off Nog. The only problem was that as he shot up Nog hung on to his arm like a vice. Great fight, great submission.[/quote]

So like I siad though, NOG succesfully got past CC’s take down defenses, taht led to the end of the. That makes 2, Fedor and NOG, still a better record than Chuck. CC has arguable best TD defense in MMA I concede.

cro cop is the best so FUUUCCCCCCKKKKKK YYOOOOOOOOOUUUUU!!!

anyone who says otherwise can fukin DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE

What does this really matter if he’s supposed to retire after 2 more fights anyway.

cro cop will be back. gonzaga is no joke. hopefully cro cop returns and eventually gets a title shot.