Red hot heavyweight prospect Junior dos Santos (8-1) expects his next fight to come against Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (25-6-2) at UFC 103, which is slated for the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19, according GracieMag.com.
“Cigano” was today mysteriously scratched from a previously announced showdown opposite Justin McCully at UFC 102 on Aug. 29. Perhaps we now know the reason.
Here’s a snip from dos Santos:
“They took me off the August 29 show. My opponent’s changed. I’ll probably face Cro Cop. If I beat him I’ll be in really good standing. If that’s truly the case, I’m guaranteed on the main card and in the main event of the evening. If I were to fight now it wouldn’t be on the main card…. To me it’s incredible. When they asked me if they could change the fight date I was a bit bothered, because I wanted to fight right away. I’ve been away for some time now. But the Fertitta brothers asked me and I accepted. After that I found out it would be against Cro Cop and was overjoyed. It’ll be a big opportunity in my career. Lots of good things have happened in my life and this is one more. I’m going to make the most of it.”
The heavy-handed Brazilian knockout artist burst on the scene with an 81-second knockout of Fabricio Werdum — widely considered at the time a top player in the division — in his debut for the promotion at UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote” back in October.
He most recently felled the Dutch “Skyscraper,” also known as Stefan Struve, via technical knockout (strikes) in just 54 seconds at UFC 95: “Sanchez vs. Stevenson” earlier this year. The Team Nogueira-trained fighter has never been beyond the first round in his professional career, finishing his all of his opponents (with the exception of one) with a mix of submissions and (technical) knockouts.
That could all change if he does indeed opt to go toe-to-toe with the devastating Croatian striker.
“Cro Cop” most recently competed at UFC 99: “The Comeback,” making a return to the Octagon to defeat British heavyweight Mostapha Al-turk in controversial fashion — an inadvertent eye poke that was missed by the referee led to a first round victory.
Prior to the win, Cro Cop has struggled mightily since coming stateside to compete inside the Octagon. Despite a win over Eddie Sanchez in his promotional debut back in 2007, Cro Cop would go on to lose back-to-back fights to Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo, putting his UFC career on ice at the time.
He vowed to return, and did, but it appeared that he was on his way out the door again after UFC 99 when a miscommunication regarding his contract status cropped up between him and company president Dana White.
UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta reportedly came to the rescue, flying out to Zagreb to personally talk to Filipovic about another possible UFC return. The pair sat down and talked for two hours at Cro Cop’s house. And when it was all over, Fertitta apparently boarded his plane with a huge grin plastered on his face, saying that he made Cro Cop “an offer he can’t refuse.”
Perhaps part of that deal was headlining a show against a top prospect such as dos Santos, which would more than likely position him among the handful of title contenders who have emerged over the course of the last 12 months if he can notch another victory.
For more on the still-developing UFC 103 fight card that includes possible bouts of Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg and Martin Kampmann vs. Mike Swick, as well as Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin, click here.
81 Comments »
He was going to be on the undercard? If he beats Cro-Cop give him winner of Nog-Randy.
He’s probly Nog’s best student/prospect. He’s already said that he won’t fight for the title so long as Nog is in contention. But they’re hoping to get a storyline to put on Nog-Cro Cop II if he loses. It’s nice to see that cro cop gets to pick and choose his opponents just like in Japan.
cro cop picked him?
Yea I’m a little confused on that one, which other HW wasn’t booked that would be ready to fight CC in sept.?? And Dos Santos hasn’t looked good lately? He’s not a worthy opponent?
i like both of these guys but ill definitely be rooting for cro cop to kick some heads in! dont sleep on cro cop just yet, hes still got the power and he sounds hungry!
everyone knows cro cop they have all the answers but that is not the case for dos santos
obviously his boxing looks good but thats just 1 thing!!
we havent seen his take down defence
his take downs
his bjj off his back
wtf? my post just finished when i was half way through it?
anyway i was going to add we also havent seen his
chin get tested (which it will against cro cop)
or his top game
it should be interesting to see in up and coming fights
i think we all know this will be a stand up war so i will place my money on the underdog dos santos
Well it’s a well known fact (as stated by dana) that he picked Al Turk. The fact that they would undue a signed contract or go out of their way to get him instead of many other HWs who can be served as fodder to keep him busy. I think he wants a Nog rematch and he thinks he can get it that way. Anyways, i got Dos Santos, i am always with Team Nog no matter what. He’s got a good shot since he’s a technical boxer. He won’t easily get countered like other strikers who may not have refined hands. His wrestling isn’t that great but he’s a purple under Big Nog. He got tapped out by Mamute in his only loss but he’s a legit ground guy so i don’t hold that to mean as much.
dos Santos is better than any fighter Cro Cop has fought in Japan in the past 3 yrs
Very true!
This is a damn good match up…I think the world of Dos Santos, so I gotta roll with him. Santos is the future: Great boxing, and I hear he is coming along in his bjj. I believe he is a brown belt under the Nog brothers.
Cro cop vs. Dos Santos = Fireworks! Someone’s getting KTFO and I think it will be cro cop!
dos Santos/Overeem would be cool…and CC did fight Overeem. Although it didn’t end well for either guy, he did fight someone in japan of santos’ caliber
let’s not jump the gun here, Dos Santos had a good win over Verdum, but who else has this guy fought that was of any consequence, Struve? that’s pretty funny. we should wait and see how he does against another decent fighter before talking about how he’s the future and how high caliber a fighter he is. Let’s not forget Sokodjou here, people were swinging from his sack immediately too and he turned out to be nothing but a one trick pony.
I agree, he could end up being the next Houston Alexander, but if you look at his fights outside the UFC, i think Santos is going to do just fine. The big wrestlers may be a problem though.
bet the house on dos santos been a big fan and glad i called him to beat fabricio.
his quick heavy hands are going to knock cro cop the F#CK out
I picked him over Fabricio also and my friends thought I was retarded … But no way hes gonna ktfo Cro Cop..
Cro Cop is the better striker and we will get too see it in Sept.
He wont fight Nog
That’s ok, Nog isn’t going to win.
Thats the spirit jay!!!
F over Dana White and he will utimately re-sign you a-la Randy Couture and put you against an up and commer. All in his way of “F”ing them over, classic “Art of War” tactic.
yeah, and nobody really knows who Dos Santos is either so that’s even better for Dana and his boys they’ll try to build a new star at Cro Cop’s expense…
dana is a big baby..
he sure is, can’t see how this is any good matchmaking or business that makes sense at all… Cro Cop is money cause he’s still a star and it’s a huge risk they’re taking if they do want the croatian sensation to win!
Dana wants Cro Cop because he’s a fan favourite. Have you seen any of his top fighters fight easy fights…no this is not Affliction his top paid fighters fight the best and thats why UFC is were it is today.
Cro Cop was a huge star but he lost both times in the UFC then got a bs win over a can after being out for a year. Cro Cop has to fight someone with a name now though. If he loses a new star is born. If he wins he is back in the top 5 again. If Santos win people will question if Cro Cop is still a great fighter. Still Dos Santos would get a top opponet in his next fight maybe against Cain.
I think Cain is fighting Carwin at UFC 103 or 104.
so he’d probibly get the winner of that or perhaps the loser if the winner gets a title shot.
Cro cop fought 3 times, he beat eddie sanchez in his debut
lol, crocop by total rape..it wouldnt be even funny for u guys
yea, it’s weird that he’s not that well known with such a big win. guess its because he hasnt faught in a while
Love this fight and love that I predicted it as soon as I saw he’d been yanked off the 102 card. Awesome.
tough fight for cop and his weak chin
***Official JJ™ Fight Prediction (why not, I’m on a roll!)***
UFC 105: Hardy vs Hughes/Condit
It’s a UK card, expected to be free on Spike. They need a Brit for at least a co-main event. Hughes and Condit are the biggest name UFC welterweights I can think of that aren’t already booked. If Bisping beats Henderson this weekend it wouldn’t shock me to see this event changed to a PPV and headlined by A.Silva/Bisping.
and his weak chin? HAHA! weak chin my a$$.. I hate how ppl talk about the chin like it’s a skill..
I don’t know JJ if they,would change it for a PPV b/c,they have one schedule 1 week later at Mandalay Bay Events Center ,Vegas!
True enough Aplha, but they could sell that fight HUGE on English soil! You’ve got to think they’d jump at the chance to do that fight, and I can’t see them giving it to us for free. It would sell a lot of PPVs IMO!
For sure,that’s why that fight won’t happen at 105 but later!I think 109?
i dont see them giving a fight with hughes to hardy and just today i was thinking about where carlos condit was…..matt hughes will only fight big fights for the remainder of his career untill he retires
rob its not a skill its an asset, cops facial bone structure isn’t built to take big shots, some have it some don’t
are you serious? how can you say cro cop has a weak chin, he was only KO’d twice, once by randleman after 6 or 7 hammerfists, and once by gonzaga, with a kick that would have killed weaker fighters. I agree that his head is not in the right place now, saying he cant take a punch is ridiculous.
Your right sac, i mean look at how many times cro cop has been ko’d! lol
I dont know where you guys are getting he has a weak chin, he has be tko’d twice in his mma career. 1 of which was a headkick that would have knocked out anyone!
oops he trains under Nog. Who could this guy fight after this? The HW division is still thin for up and comers. Unless you are in the top 5 there aren’t many other formidable opponents.
Very interesting fight, but main event? No way.
If they throw Franklin/Cane on this sucker I’ll buy it!
I don’t need a title on the line as long as the card is deep with good fighters and good fights. Swick/Kampmann is a huge fight and will be a great stand-up battle, and this one will probably be a kickboxing match as well!
Dos Santos hits very hard but has nowhere near the technical prowess of Cro-Cop – I see him winning the stand-up and Santos taking him down. Maybe we’ll finally see Junior’s ground game, apparently he has one. If Cro-Cop pulls this out we could see Cro/Cop/Couture finally, after Nog gets brutalized on August 8th.
I dont think Cane vs Franklin makes much sense right now. To me, Rich is a bit high up on the ladder to be fighting Cane. Its a lose-lose for him. Cane vs Kryzstoff should happen next. Kryz is undefeated in the UFC, and Cane is as well (sans a DQ). Rich should get the winner of Jardine/T.Silva, or the loser of Machida/Shogun.
I hear you Syn, but don’t you think they need one more big name on this card? If not Rich, maybe a Wand fight at MW or a Belfort debut… Or a Belfort debut against Wand! That’s a rematch every MMA fan wants to see!
I would love to see Silva-Belfort 2!!! that would be a very interesting matchup now-a-days. Vitor would win im sure.
Yep,great fight JJ…though in his last interview Wand was not even sure if he,will be truly fighting at 185!
Huh? I thought that was the whole reason for the 195 catch weight.
i dont think they would put Kryzstoff against cane….way to soon for Kryzstoff
i really can’t wait to see belfort fight in the ufc again, though alot of speculation is going on around this time the possible match ups rule..
SYN,
i AGREE!
I only want to see BIG NAME fights for Franklin from now on. He’s in Great shape and copming off huge wins (granted the Hendo fight where he got ROBBED, imo).
Franklin vs:
Jardine
Evans
Forrest
LIDDELL
COUTURE
Rampage
T. Silva
are ALL fights i’d pay to see!
Franklin has ALWAYS been of my top 5 favorites but as of late he is skyrocketed, imo and he is def my favorite fighter behind GSP and Couture! right up there with SHERK (i know im gonna get shit for that)
Rich was always my dad and brothers’ favorite, and a guy I ALWAYS root for. Its hard not to like him. But thats my point exactly. Rich is getting old fast in MMA years, and he only needs fights to get him to a title shot. I was hoping a Liddell fight, but that got squashed with him being out till next year. I think Jardine, Forrest, Vera, and Shogun would be great fights for Rich. I think Rich is FULLY CAPABLE of fighting for the 205lb title, but unless he pulls a miracle, he wont beat Machida.
JG_ Why wouldn’t they put Kryz in there with Cane? Kryz is 3-0 with 3 stoppages in the front 2 rounds. Cane is 3-1. I think it makes perfect sense to match these dudes up.
On that subject though, you guys wonder why Kryz has had 3 televised fights, and the guy who won that Season of TUF has only had 1? They’re kind of ripping off Bader if you ask me. He sits on the side while a guy who lost the tournament gets fight after fight.
The reason for that was b/c Bader was injured Syn!
Cane vs Kryz…would be an acceptable match up.
Kryz finishes fights, Bader doesnt.
Hence the reason Syn.
I didn’t know he was injured..
WB_ Bader knocked Vinny senseless in less than 4minutes, and had ONE (dominating) decision. He won the TUF Tournament with 3 stoppages out of 4 fights.
Weak arguement.
i think the kampman swick fight will be the most interesting. martin doesn’t seem to be doing that well strike-wise, plus swicks’s reach i think i give him the advantage standing. can see martin submitting him though
i mean, he’s great technically. but people seem to overwhelm him quickly
carwin, mir or cain i think could be next if he gets past the cop.
i think it’ll be a war. i think dos santos would push the action and the cop would be forced to counter. my gut tells me dos santos would tko cro cop.
is carwin’s nose healed? read some report saying gonzaga crushed it, haven’t heard anything since
yeah i read it healed just recently thank god
WAR CARWIN
Sounds like a great fight. I would also put money on Dos. Young up-and-comer with KO power > aging Cro Cop.
if cro cop agreed to this fight, i don’t think he knew who dos santos was…
Werdum trains with CC, yeah he knows….can you say revenge factor here….may backfire though…
Heckk yeah
I been waiting for it
Been on dos santos wagon since he won me lots of money against werdum
Lol
I’m not much cro cop fan so hope dos santos wins
Tko 2nd
is this main event or co main event??
if co then who is franklin facing in main event, cane??
maybe franklin can fight mark coleman if they need a big name i guess, terrible match up and i know u guys r bite my ass off for even thinking it but if they really need a big name that can lose hes the guy..
winner would get Kongo!! Cro cop/kongo 2 or a dos santos fight would be another exciting fight.
No way jj the next british card is to have a title fight, dana has been quoted saying 2009 uk event will have one!!!! I also dont think hardy v hughes is a possiblity either as hardy recently said hes behind swick and after hughes just beat serra then hes above swick! However hardy would be on that card as would bisping i think, and the title fight may well be a.silva v bisping??
Any bloody news on what channel in the uk ufc100 is gony be on, im getting worried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hughes has lost three of his last five fights, and he lost them badly. He barely beat Serra, a mediocre lightweight. He is certainly not above Swick in terms of the UFC title picture, who will earn a title shot if he can beat Kampmann.
As for a title on the line at 105… like I said, it’s a Spike event. Dana might put a belt on the line for it, but I wouldn’t hold my breath – although if Dana promised something then it simply MUST be true…;-)
When Bisping gets destroyed by Hendo its really going to mess up 105.
I sure as hell hope this isnt the co main event for ufc 103, i will be very dissapointed if it is
hes my fav heavyweight tied with cain but i would love to c them fight.. war DOS
This is definitely a bad match up 4 Cro Cop I think. Cro Cop’s hands don’t look as strong & accurate as they used to be, he didn’t look like him self in tha Al-Turk fight.
UFC 103 still needs a main event. Unless this is free on spike, I’m not watching it.
CroCop should not have even been fighting only 5 months after surgery. He will avenge Werdum’s KTFO as Werdum did for him against Gonzaga..
Poor Cro Cop
Man this is easy to see. Crocop dos will not be a main event on a ppv card ever. Franklin will be confirmed once they pick an opponent. As for 105 it’ll never be free w/spider on it lol. Not with the status he has now. As for dos? He will walk over the mentally and physically all but retired from ufc crocop. Look I want cro to b who he was but he just isn’t. Turk sucks n he didn’t finish commanding. Sherk sucks for whoever ranked em in there favorites lol. Ya ya tell me he doesn’t I just mean as a fav fighter with gsp etc he doesn’t fit in. And talking bout nog fighting cro after they win? Nothing to worry about cuz neither wil win. Randy is gonna run over nog. yay natural!
Oh and a kryz cane fight makes perfect sense. Kryz is ready. Also he gets more ufc recognition cuz bader is boring. And shouldn’t have won tuf. Dana was pulling for kryz. Who I thought was gonna be more of a beast and wanted to win too. But he is still subbing guys. I just thought he may be a heavy handed scary guy too. But there is time I suppose and as long as you win you win so who cares. I don’t like watching bader fights and I always hope he loses. He is very boring imo. Lol bash me if ya wanna. Yay!
Bad fight for Cro-Cop. Cigano by TKO first round.
Bla put my posts on why does this take so long I want ppl to argue with me!
ithink people will be suprisd at the outcome of this fight,Crocop is a different fighter now and hes hungry agein,lets just wait and see!!