But what about his successful return to the MMA world? Is age the only indicator you are using to determine that he is done? I love the man, and I wish he would've stayed out of the game after leaving. The extra few fights he'll get aren't worth it in my eyes to have his stellar career marred by ugly losses on a regional circut level.
There are plenty of Cro Cop fans here. His prominence was in the earlier era of MMA, where most fought for sport, not for money. He's in the group of the Chuck Liddell's and Wanderlei Silva's who fought because they love to, and were damn good at it. He also gets props for goofing on Mauro Ranallo, having awesome quads, and by breaking the stereotype of the stoic eastern European by having a sense of humor.
Is anyone NOT a cro-cop fan? Even if you think he isn't as good as people say he was back in the day, the dude put on excellent fight and had a pile of badass headkick KO's that could last a lifetime. He's also a funny guy with a great sense of humor judging from his videos/what people say about him.
He reminded me of Ivan Drago with no emotions. Then he decapitated his opponents. That's what sealed the deal for me. I was like this guy is a real life terminator.
I think being fresh out of the military his mind was still in that kill mode. That was the difference of Mirko in the ring vs the Octagon. He was always looking to hurt his opponent in the worst way possible. I don't believe it has anything to do with his skill sets. If he had that same mentality just straight offense he would churn out some more wins. I've always said the Mirko that stared down against the Axe Murderer would have killed any living man in real life.
Plus he's got one of the coolest nick names. I still think he can make one last run if he truly wanted to.
The OP says it like he's new or something. Pretty much everyone is a fan of Cro Cop he was one of the most exciting fighters out there for a long time.
Mirko is a monster and a legend. Great personality, a hero for his people. That been said. Damn Wand to step in with that bigger lethal monster twice and actually pulling a draw in the first.
Cro-Cops entire career is tainted by the fact that he was totally god awful since pride. Kinda like Rua. Like they are totally different beasts back then. Always leaves me thinking PEDs we're involved in their better moments.
I highly doubt that, the rules were very different in PRICE vs UFC plus ring vs. octagon.
If PRIDE was around and UFC folded, I would be willing to bet guys used to the octagon would have very dismal showings when they transitioned over to the ring (+ head stomps and soccer kicks).
Not saying there wasn't PED abuse in Japan, there clearly was (but I highly doubt with these 2 legends).
The only few examples I can think of were Chuck vs Overeem vs Rampage. Jens Pulver then Vitor...but the transition from Pride fighters to the UFC was less than stellar except for Anderson Silva. At least Shogun and Big Nog did win their titles.
It's got nothing to do with the rules, which is a valid point.
Both those guys looked pounds lighter in Pride. Their overall body movement was far more dynamic. Both these guys came to the UFC, and have since looked like they are fighting in slow motion compared to their Pride days. Is that not how you see it? Maybe I need to go back and watch some old videos. My memory might be somewhat hazy.
Yah they seemed a step slower...actually a lot slower. I think the ring is a lot smaller so you're forced to engage. Then you had the yellow cards which further induced more striking matches. Foot stomps and kicks was the exclamation point. A lot of fighters use that tactic to stall. Knees and kicks to the head should be allowed come to think of it.
Otherwise those sneaky grapplers will always lay on their backs to exploit that; Thales Leites, Werdum, etc.
Rampage gets called Quinton a lot more than BJ gets called Jay Dee.
The latest of Cro Cops kickboxing matches aren't amazing. Only seen the latest two. He gets sucker punched in the fight against Blake as well when trying to apologise.
I guess you are right. Have you ever heard KJ Noons called Karl James? How about Frank Mir called Francisco?
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