The camp that represents UFC heavyweight star Mirko Cro Cop (22-5-2) contacted the UFC and requested a rematch with Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (30-4-1) if the Croatian can get past Frenchman Cheick Kongo at UFC 75 on September 8, according to the Press-Telegram.
Nogueira, of course, survived a crushing first-round head kick against Heath Herring at UFC 73 this weekend en route to a unanimous decision win in his Octagon debut.
In 2003, Cro Cop and “Big Nog” met for the vacant PRIDE FC heavyweight title. In the first round, Cro Cop punished the Brazilian with strikes, including a vicious head kick of his own that sent Nogueira crashing to the canvas just before the bell rang.
Nogueira came out in the second round, however, secured a takedown and managed to submit Cro Cop with a tight armbar.
Without question, this is the type of match up that most mixed martial arts fans envisioned with the acquistion of two of the top heavyweights in the world. And the rematch between Cro Cop and Nogueira was inevitable.
Let’s just hope Cro Cop can reign supreme at the 02 Arena in London, England, so we can see this insane showdown sooner rather than later.
Here’s a video of their first encounter:
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haha they prob want the fight because they so how minotauro got knocked down my a high kick.. thats great
by not my
CRO COP IS PAST IT.
I think Cro Cop has a false sense that with his new training partner he can beat Minotauro on the ground…
Minotauro’s standup is much improved since they fought last, Im gonna have to go with Minotauro on that one… dont think it will happen until one of them is a title holder though.
10 minute first rounds…lol…that eliminates most fighters right out of the gate
Toss up after watching what Heath almost pulled off in 1st round this past weekend
Yeah he saw that kick drop Nog and was like ” I kick harder than that”
Rather see Big Nog vs Arlovski and Cro Cop vs Vera(if he doesnt go down to 205)
i say Nogueira next fight will prob be against arlovski for the number 1 contender spot, cro cop smart he knows if he beats Nogueira he will be back in contention for a title shot
Nogueira will win this matchup again. Despite the fact that CroCop has and continues to improve his ground game (including his guard; notice in the previous fight how fast Nogueira obtained full mount after the takedown), I don’t think he has what it takes to hold off the takedowns for the whole 15 minutes, just like he couldn’t in the PRIDE fight.
People may be reconsidering Nog’s defensive capabilities following the recent Herring fight, but if you ask me, that can be attributed to the lack of respect that he showed to Herring. I don’t see him underestimating Cro Cop just because he beat him the first time, unlike Herring.
Cro Cop looks alot more than 4 years younger in that video.
I guess that’s what politics will do to ya.
I feel sorry for Nog because if the only two guys I would seriously shit myself if I had to fight would be Arlovski and Cro Cop, and he’s going to have to face on of them.
[quote post=”2689″]the only two guys I would seriously shit myself if I had to fight would be Arlovski and Cro Cop[/quote]
I’d shit myself against Fedor or Big Nog or Anderson Silva myself.
I really don’t want to see any more Pride guys brought over to fight Pride guys. AA,Vera,Sylvia. What about them
How about Werdum and Nog again
[quote comment=”101295″]I really don’t want to see any more Pride guys brought over to fight Pride guys. AA,Vera,Sylvia. What about them[/quote]
AA has problems to pull the trigger after his fights with Sylvia, Vera is tied to problems with his former management and won’t fight before end of this year, Sylvia just had a back surgery and won’t be back before UFC 76 most likely.
@Luppers: I think you are referring to Werdum as a trainings partner. He is back in brazil as he got homesick. Mirko is going to bring two new guys in thou: Kharitonov and Ricco Rodriguez, both two very sick fighters who might elevate Mirko’s game another notch.
cro cop and his camp better concentrate on kongo before he even thinks twice about nog. kongo is huge, powerfull and has excellent striking. yeah i know cro cop does to but everyone saw how gonzaga kept that hard circle to the outside against him to neutralize that powerfull ass leg kick. i really think that cro cop will have his hands full on this one and better not get sidetracked or else its lights out.
[quote comment=”101232″]I think Cro Cop has a false sense that with his new training partner he can beat Minotauro on the ground…
Minotauro’s standup is much improved since they fought last, Im gonna have to go with Minotauro on that one… dont think it will happen until one of them is a title holder though.[/quote]
Cro cop isn’t delusional, He knows his strength is his stand up and he knows he won’t willingly go to the ground unless he’s forced there or he’s out to finish off an opponent after a devastating strike.
You did bring out a great point in that Nog’s standup is much more imporved as opposed to Cro Cop’s ground game. While I don’t expect to see Nog KOing anyone with strikes(just not his strength), he can at least hold his own and not be as easy a target as their Pride encounter.
I think this fight can happen sooner than later, If Cro Cop wins in September against Kongo (a fight which he should win provided he recovered physically and mentally). We can see this match as early as December of January if Cro Cop walks out of London healthy. Cro Cop won’t be seeing a title fight with a win against Kongo and Nogeria wasn’t expecting an immediate title shot with his debut victory so this fight would make sense.
I’ll be honest, I’m picking Nog to win the rematch regardless of how impressive or lackluster Cro Cop handles his next match. I think the Octagon simply favors grapplers and BJJ artists and the ability to use elbows definately can add to Nog’s game. Furthermore, UFC rules =/= no soccer kicking ppl’s heads which is something Cro Cop loves to do in Pride. It’ll be a good match, but money will be on Nog.
After Nogs performance vs Heath, this fight isn’t very exciting.
[quote comment=”101299″]@Luppers: I think you are referring to Werdum as a trainings partner. He is back in brazil as he got homesick. Mirko is going to bring two new guys in thou: Kharitonov and Ricco Rodriguez, both two very sick fighters who might elevate Mirko’s game another notch.[/quote]
Nerp…
Mirko brought in Ricco Rodriguez (is he still suspended?) to train him in the ways of the Octagon. Mirko BUILT an Octagon in his basement so he doesnt get EMBARASSED again. He is also paying Ricco more then Ricco makes per fight to come train him on GNP and sprawling in the Octagon. Mirko thinks this is the key to his victory… only he is like 3 years too late.
Still don’t nderstand why CC let his arm in the air like that against a BJJ black belt…..Even i would of known better!
[quote comment=”101339″]Still don’t nderstand why CC let his arm in the air like that against a BJJ black belt…..Even i would of known better![/quote]
Huh? Are you talking about when he tried to block what he thought was a mid kick… and ended up being a high kick?
[quote comment=”101357″][quote comment=”101339″]Still don’t nderstand why CC let his arm in the air like that against a BJJ black belt…..Even i would of known better![/quote]
Huh? Are you talking about when he tried to block what he thought was a mid kick… and ended up being a high kick?[/quote]
He meant against Big Nog.
[quote post=”2689″]Vera is tied to problems with his former management and won’t fight before end of this year[/quote]
Vera said himself that he’ll fight in October.
I agree
We dont need to see any more PRIDE vs PRIDE
Lets see some of the match-ups that we havent seen yet
[quote post=”2689″]Mirko brought in Ricco Rodriguez (is he still suspended?) to train him in the ways of the Octagon. Mirko BUILT an Octagon in his basement so he doesnt get EMBARASSED again. He is also paying Ricco more then Ricco makes per fight to come train him on GNP and sprawling in the Octagon. Mirko thinks this is the key to his victory… only he is like 3 years too late.[/quote]
His sprawl is tight. Took Nog shooting 15 times. There wouldn’t of been a 15th if the bell didn’t save him. But I guess that’s what bells are for. This three years too late business sounds great after Gonzaga but it’s not like he all of a sudden realized he has to develop a ground game. His ground game is respectable–certainly not a fish out of water. Why go there if you can avoid it, which he has over the majority of his career. It’s not like CC’s opponents go in there wanting to trade blows. Chuck does the same thing yet nobody says boo. His wrestling is used to stay on his feet.
No way Big Nog deserves a title shot after almost losing to “Crappy Horse”. So this match sounds good, and the winner can have the winner of Arlovski vs Randy/Gonzaga. I’m assuming that’s why we haven’t heard of when the Pitbull is fighting next…
[quote comment=”101368″]I agree
We dont need to see any more PRIDE vs PRIDE
Lets see some of the match-ups that we havent seen yet[/quote]
i totally agree!!lets see some NEW match ups!!how bout cro cop vs. vera or minotuaro vs. sylvia or vise versa or even arlovski….now that dana got all the PRIDE guys he is pushing the ORGINAL UFC guys to nobodys.
Hard to know what will happen with Cro Cop. He never won that elusive belt in Pride (Fair enough he won the 2006 openweight grand prix)…
What’s the bets he won’t win the UFC belt either.
Just feel as if it is not meant to be.
[quote post=”2689″]I really don’t want to see any more Pride guys brought over to fight Pride guys. AA,Vera,Sylvia. What about them [/quote]
Dana doesn’t want them to lose before he builds them up. It was only hype that the Pride elite would destroy all of the UFC HWs. The truth is the top 5 or 6 UFC HWs can hang with ANY Pride fighter. I think most fans would agree with you. Who doesn’t want to see CC vs Vera , GG vs Fedor , Randy vs Nog or AA vs CC.
Crocop wins this one for sure. Nog got lucky with the takedown because his only real weakness is his takedowns/takedown defense. I dont think Nog will take crocop down unless crocop gets too tired and cant stop it. Crocop will be the first to knock out Nogueira
You can say Nog got lucky all you want . Bottom line is Nog took Cro Cop’s best shots, and still came back and taped his ass out. What’s lucky about that
[quote post=”2689″]ou can say Nog got lucky all you want . Bottom line is Nog took Cro Cop’s best shots, and still came back and taped his ass out. What’s lucky about that[/quote]
Only luck was that he got tagged with a glancing head-shot right before the bell. He was done. Not knocked out but he was gonna get it. But I guess that’s what bells are for. Still has the hardest head in the game, and maybe the biggest heart– none of that would of mattered if he did get caught with his CC’s best shot.
[quote comment=”101391″]No way Big Nog deserves a title shot after almost losing to “Crappy Horse”. So this match sounds good, and the winner can have the winner of Arlovski vs Randy/Gonzaga. I’m assuming that’s why we haven’t heard of when the Pitbull is fighting next…[/quote]
Dana White already said Arlovski will not be getting a title shot for his next fight because ” he didn’t try to win ” or some stupid sh*t. Any way he was rumoured to be on the next card in London, I thought…
Dana doesn’t want them to lose before he builds them up. It was only hype that the Pride elite would destroy all of the UFC HWs. The truth is the top 5 or 6 UFC HWs can hang with ANY Pride fighter. I think most fans would agree with you. Who doesn’t want to see CC vs Vera , GG vs Fedor , Randy vs Nog or AA vs CC.
gonzaga vs. fedor first of all… no. mad lame. and id rather see fedor vs cro cop again, or even nog vs cro cop again. they are the best heaveyweights. bottom line. randy can definetly hang in there with anyone, but id rather see those top 3 heaveyweights fight eachother over any other match, any day.
[quote comment=”101478″]Dana doesn’t want them to lose before he builds them up. It was only hype that the Pride elite would destroy all of the UFC HWs. The truth is the top 5 or 6 UFC HWs can hang with ANY Pride fighter. I think most fans would agree with you. Who doesn’t want to see CC vs Vera , GG vs Fedor , Randy vs Nog or AA vs CC.
gonzaga vs. fedor first of all… no. mad lame. and id rather see fedor vs cro cop again, or even nog vs cro cop again. they are the best heaveyweights. bottom line. randy can definetly hang in there with anyone, but id rather see those top 3 heaveyweights fight eachother over any other match, any day.[/quote]
No way I would rather see new match ups over rematches anyday. I think your just scared to see Fedor get beat by the likes of GG. I know I would bet on Gonzaga over Fedor. And how embarassing would it be for him to lose by viscious knockout after the way they would no doubt build him up. Similar to Cro Cop getting taken out the same way.
[quote comment=”101228″]CRO COP IS PAST IT.[/quote]
He lost one fight so he’s past it, please explain.
CC should concentrate on Kongo we all know what happened the last time he looked past his opponant.
I agree, Kongo may not be as technical as Cro Cop, but he is still a very good striker and has the ability to knock him out (GSP v SERRA). As far as fighting Nog is concerned he better hope his ankle has recovered, because that has ankle lock written all over it.
Cro Cop needs a vicory in the octagon against someone not named Eddie Sanchez and possibly Cheick Kongo before he can start requesting opponents. Are either of these fighters even ranked in the Top 25? the Top 100? I highly doubt it. You fight who the UFC puts in front of you. Cro Cop never held the PRIDE HW belt, and I don’t see him ever holding the UFC belt either. Being a one dimensional fighter no longer makes you a champion. The best position for CC in a fight is for both fighters to be standing. Thats the potition he was in against GG and got KTFO. He proved that he can lose quite easily while being in his most dominant position. But then again, of course, anyone can get knocked out at anytime.
[quote comment=”101306″][quote comment=”101232″]I think Cro Cop has a false sense that with his new training partner he can beat Minotauro on the ground…
Minotauro’s standup is much improved since they fought last, Im gonna have to go with Minotauro on that one… dont think it will happen until one of them is a title holder though.[/quote]
Cro cop isn’t delusional, He knows his strength is his stand up and he knows he won’t willingly go to the ground unless he’s forced there or he’s out to finish off an opponent after a devastating strike.
You did bring out a great point in that Nog’s standup is much more imporved as opposed to Cro Cop’s ground game. While I don’t expect to see Nog KOing anyone with strikes(just not his strength), he can at least hold his own and not be as easy a target as their Pride encounter.
I think this fight can happen sooner than later, If Cro Cop wins in September against Kongo (a fight which he should win provided he recovered physically and mentally). We can see this match as early as December of January if Cro Cop walks out of London healthy. Cro Cop won’t be seeing a title fight with a win against Kongo and Nogeria wasn’t expecting an immediate title shot with his debut victory so this fight would make sense.
I’ll be honest, I’m picking Nog to win the rematch regardless of how impressive or lackluster Cro Cop handles his next match. I think the Octagon simply favors grapplers and BJJ artists and the ability to use elbows definately can add to Nog’s game. Furthermore, UFC rules =/= no soccer kicking ppl’s heads which is something Cro Cop loves to do in Pride. It’ll be a good match, but money will be on Nog.[/quote]
Well, Im thinking that CC thinks he has a lil more education on the octagon versus ring. Lets be frank, the Octagon does NOT do well for standup fighters, and definitely gives shooters the edge. Can Mino ride with CC on the feet? Maybe for about 30secs till he shoots. But Mino shoots, gets Mirko to the cage, shit is happening fast. Ricco better have taught Mirko quite a bit for Mirko to walk outa this fight.
[quote comment=”101427″]You can say Nog got lucky all you want . Bottom line is Nog took Cro Cop’s best shots, and still came back and taped his ass out. What’s lucky about that[/quote]
Oh dude, I dont think anyone is counting against Nog’s chin..
Btw, you guys that think Vera should fight any former Pride HW, are HIGH! Heath would take him for a ride…
[quote comment=”101232″]
Well, Im thinking that CC thinks he has a lil more education on the octagon versus ring. Lets be frank, the Octagon does NOT do well for standup fighters, and definitely gives shooters the edge. Can Mino ride with CC on the feet? Maybe for about 30secs till he shoots. But Mino shoots, gets Mirko to the cage, shit is happening fast. Ricco better have taught Mirko quite a bit for Mirko to walk outa this fight.[/quote]
I dunno, certain wrestlers have found a way to use the cage very effectively to prevent take downs. Take Tito and Rashad last Saturday. The way they both were sprawling and bracing against the cage makes it nearly impossible to get a double or single leg take down. CroCop should learn from that and he might fair very well against Big Nogs takedown.
my post didnt show up here, did this?
[quote comment=”101607″]I dunno, certain wrestlers have found a way to use the cage very effectively to prevent take downs. Take Tito and Rashad last Saturday. The way they both were sprawling and bracing against the cage makes it nearly impossible to get a double or single leg take down. CroCop should learn from that and he might fair very well against Big Nogs takedown.[/quote]
Absolutely, wrestlers defend takedowns better, mostly due to being wrestlers… If you watch Rashad-Tito, you would see them both go from having backs on the cage, to spinning the other’s back into the cage. But that’s not Mirko’s game. Mirko is very much like Chuck… relies on foot speed more then anything else. Mirko’s defense is his fast backpeddleing…. But we will see. Im not dooming a guy that has the hardest kicks in the world.
[quote comment=”101590″]Cro Cop never held the PRIDE HW belt, and I don’t see him ever holding the UFC belt either. Being a one dimensional fighter no longer makes you a champion.[/quote]
Cro Cop won the PrideFC OWGP (which is a belt) and that is the most prestigeous belt there was in Pride. Fedor stated numerous times that he wished he wasn’t injured for the OWGP as it would mean more to him than the HW belt.
[quote post=”2689″]Cro Cop needs a vicory in the octagon against someone not named Eddie Sanchez and possibly Cheick Kongo before he can start requesting opponents. Are either of these fighters even ranked in the Top 25? the Top 100? I highly doubt it. You fight who the UFC puts in front of you. Cro Cop never held the PRIDE HW belt, and I don’t see him ever holding the UFC belt either. Being a one dimensional fighter no longer makes you a champion. The best position for CC in a fight is for both fighters to be standing. Thats the potition he was in against GG and got KTFO. He proved that he can lose quite easily while being in his most dominant position. But then again, of course, anyone can get knocked out at anytime[/quote]
Oh yeah, the game has changed so much since September ‘06 when CC took out Wand and Barnett in one night. Fact of the matter is that GG had a great game plan and could physically take a blow bc he is about 250. Not too many will be able to do that. Otherwise he doesn’t get him to the ground and CC chops him down methodically, or with one violent shot. Sure you need to be well rounded and he is respectable on the ground. Great sprawl and probably the best and most versatile striker–FEdor probably has more to his punches. To use Mariano Rivera as an example, the guy’s going to the hall of fame with essentailly a two-pitch arsenal. But he throws them with great accuracy and speed. I know, BB aint MMA but when you have such great striking ability and can defend the take-down excellently, you are always a force. So easy to say that all you gotta do is take him down. This ain’t Cheik Kongo who you take down easier than your girlfriend’s panties.
[quote comment=”101637″][quote comment=”101607″]I dunno, certain wrestlers have found a way to use the cage very effectively to prevent take downs. Take Tito and Rashad last Saturday. The way they both were sprawling and bracing against the cage makes it nearly impossible to get a double or single leg take down. CroCop should learn from that and he might fair very well against Big Nogs takedown.[/quote]
Absolutely, wrestlers defend takedowns better, mostly due to being wrestlers… If you watch Rashad-Tito, you would see them both go from having backs on the cage, to spinning the other’s back into the cage. But that’s not Mirko’s game. Mirko is very much like Chuck… relies on foot speed more then anything else. Mirko’s defense is his fast backpeddleing…. But we will see. Im not dooming a guy that has the hardest kicks in the world.[/quote]
Your right, I was just trying to say that if Mirko learned to use the fence to prevent takedowns like Tito and Rashad. I think it would be to his advantage. But it will only work against the wrestlers that go for double leg takedowns. Randy Couture for instance uses the fence to press his opponents in the clinch, then trip them to the ground. I was surprised neither Tito or Rashad tried any trips last saturday.
Mirko will be back!
Payback is a bitch !!
That’s all I’m gonna say!!
I bet he does after nog’s lame performance at ufc 73.
I garunteee Crocop will destroy Big Nog a second time around,I dont think its nothing to do with him watching Noguera nearly get KOed other day,Crocop was robbed in that last fight he was giving Big Nog a pasting and then second round got careless and got caught in a armbar.
All the highlights from their last fight are Crocop giving Noguera a beating.Anyone would want a rematch after that.I just hope that Crocop is not taking Kongo lightly,I think Crocop is way to fast for Kongo and I could see Kongo not land one clean shot in that fight,aslong as Crocop takes him serious trains hard and prepares mentaly.
andre and vera are my two fav or heavy weight i wanna see them fight. crocop vs nog might happen in dec is my guess, i hope vera fights in anaheim i heard he was fighting twice in 2007 the london card is pretty much a done deal anaheim is up he would have to fight then to get 2 this year. andre i don’t know he should be fighting soon maybe anaheim or oct in cincy. and slyvia still needs to get in there i know he was suppose to in aug now maybe oct or late sept sounds right.
all u guys that think that cro cop wont beat nogeira dream on he will destroy him and let me tell u something if nog people could drag this one out they will cuz they know who mirko is sn this is whats going to hapen cro cop ko’s kongo , next fight nog ko’s him on the first round an then a rematch with gonzaga an this time he is going to hurt gonzaga or probably give him a break from fighting enyone else for a long time , u guys dont even know who cro cop is . an for every one that thinks he’s done wait an see , his highlights he is going to make fighting kongo , nog an gonzaga . wait an see
What was the name of the song that nogueira came out to at ufc 73?
[quote comment=”101232″]I think Cro Cop has a false sense that with his new training partner he can beat Minotauro on the ground…
Minotauro’s standup is much improved since they fought last, Im gonna have to go with Minotauro on that one… dont think it will happen until one of them is a title holder though.[/quote]
Man were you watching that fight at all? Cro Cop was beating his ass then nogueira would lay on his back trying for guard. Crop Cop stood it back up and punished him more. The final minutes of the fight he just got caught and nogeira got him in a arm bar. But Cro Cop was dominating that fight.
Crocop will kill him.