Star-crossed UFC heavyweight Mirko Cro Cop was back in the ring this weekend as a special guest during the Hustle New Year’s Eve pro wrestling show in Japan. He apparently had the blessing of UFC President Dana White.

Why? I have no idea. Maybe White didn’t understand the full scope of the appearance.

Here’s the zaniness:

For the bizarre backstory behind the Croatian’s return to the Land of the Rising Sun head over to FightOpinion.com.

Note: Still no word on when Cro Cop will fight next inside the Octagon. But he looks like he can go at any minute.

January 1st, 2008    

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41 Comments »

Comment by Mahde
2008-01-01 16:37:55

He does look a little more cut than he last did in the Octagon. I still say he should consider dropping to 205.

 
Comment by jason
2008-01-01 16:39:50

haha, great vid. he looked somewhat stiff
but still, good to see him in the ring
o.o

 
Comment by wwerealm
2008-01-01 16:40:22

He said he wanted to gain more muscle so he can deal with the stronger opponents.

 
Comment by GORANDY
2008-01-01 16:40:38

” Dana White admitted that he did watch the StrikeForce 6/22 San Jose Arena event because it featured an old friend (Phil Baroni) fighting Frank Shamrock and that he hates Frank.”

Dana White, classin’ it up as per usual. Someone says that he underpays his fighters, and he “hates” them. I guess that means he hates 99% of the people who post comments on the Internet, most of his fighters, and almost every MMA blogger.

Pretty much anyone except Chuck Liddell, Kevin Iole and Huddle 45.

 
Comment by GORANDY
2008-01-01 16:48:08

WHY should anone have to “ASK ” permission to dance???

DID Chuck n Buck “Liddell” have to ask for permission before he got wasted at studio 54 and danced after 2 beers??? i think not since he already had been to dad oops dana’s house on x-mas.

 
Comment by COR
2008-01-01 16:59:47

wow

 
Comment by MDR
2008-01-01 17:14:04

CC really kicked that fella! wow!

i gotta say i love CC. Japan will always love him and pretty classy on his part to speak a bit of their language.

can`t wait to see him get back to his ol ways!

 
Comment by billyboy
2008-01-01 17:21:42

lol

I am not a wrestling fan but I can say that that was far more entertaining than the Fedor vs. Hong Man Choi fight.

 
Comment by THORAZINE
2008-01-01 17:23:28

I think I actually saw crocop crack a smile?

 
Comment by Donner
2008-01-01 18:00:59

So cool. But I think a match between St pierre vs Anderson Silva would be the greatest MMA fight ever!

 
Comment by jay
2008-01-01 18:44:04

no he shouldn’t drop to 205 .. i want his comeback done at heavyweight

 
Comment by zheka
2008-01-01 18:58:14

lol Go Mirko! Go!

 
Comment by R-Dizzle
2008-01-01 19:18:38

Japanese people are weird.

 
Comment by jdawg
2008-01-01 19:34:08

[quote comment=”252510″]Japanese people are weird.[/quote]
yes they are.did you see the guy with the pink maternity shirt on.lol

 
Comment by Korean Avenger
2008-01-01 19:42:34

What the clip doesn’t show was that Phil Baroni was in the front row…. wearing the same kicky frock as the Japanese Edna Turnblatt. Upon seeing that bitch hog all the limelight, Phil stormed out on his heels crying, leaving trails of mascara down his glitter make-up caked face.

 
Comment by theCloser
2008-01-01 19:44:02

That was very cool. Weird seeing CC in boardshorts though. Hope he hurries back.

 
Comment by Big Fil
2008-01-01 19:49:24

Cha Ching! Cash in Mirkos pocket. But still, sort of sad, no?

 
Comment by PhilQNY
2008-01-01 19:53:15

[quote comment=”252526″][quote comment=”252510″]Japanese people are weird.[/quote]
yes they are.did you see the guy with the pink maternity shirt on.lol[/quote]

MMA in Japan is crazy..they love mma..It`s crazy..they`ll have 50-60 thousand people out their seats..and when the fight starts..silence. They understand what`s going with all aspects of where the fight can go. They only make noise when some gets crack..slammed..reversed..submitted..ground defense..the whole nine yards. The NEw Year eve show in Saitama..was crazy. It was Pride event. Some good fights..Fedor Returned..and he is the man..and just a force and pioneer of MMA..Ufc is branch of the mma tree..I love the look of the whole tree.

 
Comment by RobH86
2008-01-01 19:56:25

[quote comment=”252314″]He does look a little more cut than he last did in the Octagon. I still say he should consider dropping to 205.[/quote]

You think? I thought he looked ripped to pieces at 75. He was about 12 pounds lighter in London than at 70 in Manchester. I thought he looked a little heavier than last time out, well less ripped. I don’t think size should be an issue in the heavyweight division. The biggest dudes he’ll have to fight should only be 265 at weigh in max. I mean if he comes back at a solid 235 he could only be giving 30lbs away at max. I think the issue is whether or not his skills are at their best and his cardio is there. He’s not complete and his style doesn’t suit the octagon. That being said I still thought that he was going to murder Kongo.

Ship the HWs off to WEC and bring in the featherweights I say.

 
Comment by RobH86
2008-01-01 20:05:03

More aggression also needed from the ‘Cop. I don’t know if it would help him win but I’d like to see it. I’m sure he knows what it now takes to make it in the UFC. Whether he’s got it or can improve enough we’ll have to wait and see.

I beginning to think he might get AA next not that he deserves to and it doesn’t really make sense but because we all want to see it, including Dana and Joe Silva, I hope.

 
Comment by dia mette
2008-01-01 21:12:19

I LOVE IT PRIDE IS BACK except its not called pride The new years show was awsome it had the same crazy announcers the same gloves the same ring the same refs the great show of the spectacle and of course the best fighter in the world Fedor, I am so happy fedor did not sign with the ufc the ufc doesnt have to be and shouldnt be the only marquee show on the planet. I hope the people who are putting on these events in japan know how to run the business and I hope this new form of pride keeps growing and growing.

And I can tell you right now Mirko cro cop will not resign with the ufc I dont care if he wins the remaining fights on his contract His home is fighting in Japan and having mirko and fedor fighting over seas would take the cards in japan to another level I dont care that he lost everybody loses he is a great fighter who has great fights left in him and you dont have to be a rocket scientist to see he loves fighting in japan and that he is annoyed with dana and the antics of the ufc like roegan plus you have the ufc poster boy and HW champ couture who wants to have nothing to do with the ufc. Randys new home will be Japan as well couture vs fedor 2008 I LOVE IT. And dont be suprised if fighters like arlovski and henderson (if UFC doesnt give a good offer) leave the ufc to fight over in japan. And thats bull shit that wandy got 150k vs lidell 500k and the fans love wandy in japan you never know we might see wandy back in japan as well

I also love the UFC too but damn they dont have to control the entire sport

 
Comment by Sureal
2008-01-01 21:38:52

[quote comment=”252551″]Cha Ching! Cash in Mirkos pocket. But still, sort of sad, no?[/quote]

So the Fedor breaks down because the UFC won’t allow any other competition even if limited to the Sambo tourny, but CroCop can make appearences elsewhere?

Granted, there’s little chance of being hurt, doing his little clown act, but his “name” and “popularity” are being used by other than UFC promotions.

After seeing the Choi fight, I’m convinced Randy would prevail against Fedor

 
Comment by Brandon
2008-01-01 22:04:15

that was with his right leg too

 
Comment by Amos
2008-01-01 23:23:54

he finally won a fight

 
Comment by PhilQNY
2008-01-01 23:27:39

[quote comment=”252651″]I LOVE IT PRIDE IS BACK except its not called pride The new years show was awsome it had the same crazy announcers the same gloves the same ring the same refs the great show of the spectacle and of course the best fighter in the world Fedor, I am so happy fedor did not sign with the ufc the ufc doesnt have to be and shouldnt be the only marquee show on the planet. I hope the people who are putting on these events in japan know how to run the business and I hope this new form of pride keeps growing and growing.

And I can tell you right now Mirko cro cop will not resign with the ufc I dont care if he wins the remaining fights on his contract His home is fighting in Japan and having mirko and fedor fighting over seas would take the cards in japan to another level I dont care that he lost everybody loses he is a great fighter who has great fights left in him and you dont have to be a rocket scientist to see he loves fighting in japan and that he is annoyed with dana and the antics of the ufc like roegan plus you have the ufc poster boy and HW champ couture who wants to have nothing to do with the ufc. Randys new home will be Japan as well couture vs fedor 2008 I LOVE IT. And dont be suprised if fighters like arlovski and henderson (if UFC doesnt give a good offer) leave the ufc to fight over in japan. And thats bull shit that wandy got 150k vs lidell 500k and the fans love wandy in japan you never know we might see wandy back in japan as well

I also love the UFC too but damn they dont have to control the entire sport[/quote]

What will stop the ufc..will be the ufc..they do not want to unify MMA..their`s is the only MMA flag that matters..Fedor said no to their Flag. The Cold War of MMA is set to go down in `08…War Fedor.

 
Comment by The Anomaly
2008-01-02 01:54:12

Does this mean pro wrestling is REAL!!!!!???!?!?!?!
Oh and, does anybody know where I can watch the Fedor fight?

 
Comment by Dustin
2008-01-02 05:01:02

[quote comment=”252719″]that was with his right leg too[/quote]

I noticed this as well..

 
Comment by Kobashi
2008-01-02 07:22:12

Jdawg - That is not a guy wearing a pink Maternity shirt but it is a woman Pro-Wrestler called Aja Kong and she is badass!

 
Comment by Martin
2008-01-02 08:14:00

I think a rematch with Eddie Sanchez is in the works for later this year. Can’t wait!

 
Comment by Bobby B Bonkers
2008-01-02 09:58:18

I predict we c more of this stuff in the future from CC.

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-01-02 10:00:34

What was that? LOL.

And who was that guy in the pink dress? Mirko’s BJJ instructor?

 
Comment by bryan
2008-01-02 11:29:35

[quote comment=”252558″][quote comment=”252314″]He does look a little more cut than he last did in the Octagon. I still say he should consider dropping to 205.[/quote]

You think? I thought he looked ripped to pieces at 75. He was about 12 pounds lighter in London than at 70 in Manchester. I thought he looked a little heavier than last time out, well less ripped. I don’t think size should be an issue in the heavyweight division. The biggest dudes he’ll have to fight should only be 265 at weigh in max. I mean if he comes back at a solid 235 he could only be giving 30lbs away at max. I think the issue is whether or not his skills are at their best and his cardio is there. He’s not complete and his style doesn’t suit the octagon. That being said I still thought that he was going to murder Kongo.

Ship the HWs off to WEC and bring in the featherweights I say.[/quote]
YES! Ever since Couture left, the HW division is a joke, i hate tim silvia and i dont want to see him fight for interim anything (hes so fuckin boring) put about 5 inches on munson and tim woulda lost that fight. So i 100% agree. Ship the heavyweights out… bring in the featherweights. Get Jens back in the UFC :)

 
Comment by Brendan Eff
2008-01-02 13:46:10

Good to see Lance Storm back in the wrestling ring…

 
Comment by c-war
2008-01-02 14:39:10

I wonder if that Kick really knocked him out, it looked crisp to me.

 
Comment by Jon
2008-01-02 15:06:25

I think it’s hilarious that the fruit went to go hug Crocop and he kept his distance and patted his shoulder.

 
Comment by YouTapped
2008-01-02 15:52:22

I can’t believe some of the crap you guys are posting, but then again I am too tired of explaining to people who watch MMA for 3-4 months what Budo/Bushido is and means and how the japanese fans have a whole different relationship to the fighters.

Guys like Fedor and Mirko do appearances in Japan for new years eve because they want to give their biggest fans something back. And no, those fighters in the UFC will never have such a connection to the US/UK fans, because of how fighters are being treated there. You stall the fight for 10 seconds to re-evaluate the situation and adept to a new stance and you get boo’ed…

In Japan some fans stay in the same hotels as the fighters. Just imagine someone knocking at your door, you open it and Mirko CroCop is shooting you with a water gun. I’d crap my pants and then laugh my a** off.

 
Comment by RobH86
2008-01-02 15:53:47

[quote comment=”253151″][quote comment=”252558″][quote comment=”252314″]He does look a little more cut than he last did in the Octagon. I still say he should consider dropping to 205.[/quote]

You think? I thought he looked ripped to pieces at 75. He was about 12 pounds lighter in London than at 70 in Manchester. I thought he looked a little heavier than last time out, well less ripped. I don’t think size should be an issue in the heavyweight division. The biggest dudes he’ll have to fight should only be 265 at weigh in max. I mean if he comes back at a solid 235 he could only be giving 30lbs away at max. I think the issue is whether or not his skills are at their best and his cardio is there. He’s not complete and his style doesn’t suit the octagon. That being said I still thought that he was going to murder Kongo.

Ship the HWs off to WEC and bring in the featherweights I say.[/quote]
YES! Ever since Couture left, the HW division is a joke, i hate tim silvia and i dont want to see him fight for interim anything (hes so fuckin boring) put about 5 inches on munson and tim woulda lost that fight. So i 100% agree. Ship the heavyweights out… bring in the featherweights. Get Jens back in the UFC :)[/quote]

Definitely. Hell just scrap any Zuffa related HWs. Let AA, CC, Nog, GG and Couture matchup with Fedor, Aleks, Hunt, Barnett and co in Japan. Vera can drop to LHW, Timmy can go back to his job as a bouncer. Of course it’s not going to happen but I would love it.

Also WAR FWs!!!

 
Comment by the truth
2008-01-02 19:02:34

Come on Dana, we want CC vs. AA (really bad)

 
Comment by fieldjudge1984
2008-01-03 07:50:27

that was bizare

 
Comment by Plinko
2008-01-03 08:43:32

[quote comment=”252510″]Japanese people are weird.[/quote]

Yeah, because the WWE is normal.

 
Comment by 00mace
2008-01-18 17:06:29

[quote comment=”252651″]I LOVE IT PRIDE IS BACK except its not called pride The new years show was awsome it had the same crazy announcers the same gloves the same ring the same refs the great show of the spectacle and of course the best fighter in the world Fedor, I am so happy fedor did not sign with the ufc the ufc doesnt have to be and shouldnt be the only marquee show on the planet. I hope the people who are putting on these events in japan know how to run the business and I hope this new form of pride keeps growing and growing.

And I can tell you right now Mirko cro cop will not resign with the ufc I dont care if he wins the remaining fights on his contract His home is fighting in Japan and having mirko and fedor fighting over seas would take the cards in japan to another level I dont care that he lost everybody loses he is a great fighter who has great fights left in him and you dont have to be a rocket scientist to see he loves fighting in japan and that he is annoyed with dana and the antics of the ufc like roegan plus you have the ufc poster boy and HW champ couture who wants to have nothing to do with the ufc. Randys new home will be Japan as well couture vs fedor 2008 I LOVE IT. And dont be suprised if fighters like arlovski and henderson (if UFC doesnt give a good offer) leave the ufc to fight over in japan. And thats bull shit that wandy got 150k vs lidell 500k and the fans love wandy in japan you never know we might see wandy back in japan as well

I also love the UFC too but damn they dont have to control the entire sport[/quote]

Let us not forget that mirko broke Wanderlei Silva, Josh Barnett, and gave Fedor the closest fight hes ever had. The man is a tool of death and his lack of confidence is hopefully only temporary.

 
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