Photo: Index.hr
Mirko “CroCop” Filpović may have fought his last fight Saturday night in Zagreb against Ray Sefo. It was labeled CroCop’s ‘Final Fight’ but there have reports that Filipović may continue to kick box. 37 year-old CroCop has a career MMA record of 27-10-2, however, Saturday night’s fight looked more like an exhibition than anything else.
The three round nine-minute fight went the distance with CroCop winning by unanimous decision. He was unsuccessful in landing his patented left high-kick but did manage to bloody the face of Sefo with multiple punches. Shortly after the fight decision was made, Sefo respectfully picked up CroCop and walked him around the ring saying,” As for Mirko, I don’t even know why he wants to retire. After tonight, he should keep on fighting.”
Nice to see Ray SUGARFOOT Sefo giving such respect all to Croatian people and Mirko, they are two legends of K1 without a doubt going down in history, Ray is known as one of the best guys, such a beast in the ring but such a gentleman. Two fighters from Croatia and New Zealand, cant get any better 🙂
After watching some of that fight it felt like someone just set the clocks forward about 20 years…looked like a couple of Dideki in the ring, ajme meni
I think Cro Cop’s just fighting because he enjoys doing it.
It’s not really as much fun for the fans anymore though becasue we know he can’t compete with top level competition.
I hope they are just rumors. I too have been a huge Cro Cop fan growing up. That being said, he’s definitely finished now. We cannot reverse time. Even though Mirko won the fight, he looked to be in worse condition against Safo than he did against Roy Nelson.
If he’s just trying to earn a paycheck, there are other ways to to accomplish that than continuing to fight. He can start his own mma gym, school, or whatever. He could have done a better job at branding his name and sealing a deal with an outfitter to have his name on t-shirts around the world. I know he was huge in Japan, but I don’t think he did enough to brand his name/image and rake in the $$.
It’s a result of poor business foresight. Mirko endangers his life, family’s well being, and image every time he steps into the ring. He should be smarter than that and call it quits for good.
K1 went to shit after they got rid of clinching. They completely killed the Muay Thai style of fighting. If cro cop fought anyone worth a damn he would get demolished. Sefo looked older than cro cop, and that’s not an easy task. Look at Mirko’s old K1 fights and compare. He should not be fighting any more (rumors are going around that he will continue kickboxing). If he fights anyone worth a damn he will ruin his life.
I’m one of Crocops biggest fans but he beat a 41yr old who probably didnt train much for the fight considering he was involved in training three different Ufc fighters for their fights prior the his. I think its in Mirko’s best interest to retire while he is ahead.I can see him getting brutally koed against a top K 1 guy. I have attached the link to his post fight press conference where he states hes going to keep on fighting. I hope he changes his mind.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNVn4gT0AYm8%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded&feature=player_embedded&v=NVn4gT0AYm8&gl=CA