I had the pleasure of covering UFC 140 in Toronto, Canada this past weekend; and what a weekend it was! The week started on Thursday with a one-on-one interview with UFC fighter and fellow Croatian Igor “The Duke” Pokrajac. The interview only lasted eight minutes but I chatted with Igor afterwards for about two hours. We talked about everything from the Croatian national soccer team to life in Hrvatska. Igor then invited me to join his team during his last training session prior to the weigh in Friday. I was able to meet his two coaches, and I have to say, Luka Jelčić and Goran Babić are awesome guys.
Saturday began with me seeing off Igor and his teammates at the hotel as they boarded the fighter buses. I then made my way to the Air Canada Centre and immediately interviewed former UFC contender Frank Trigg, Vladimir Matyushenko, Sean “Muscle Shark” Sherk, Frank Tropea, the voice of the octagon Bruce Buffer and Croatiansports.com’s own Nick Vujinović. The atmosphere in the Air Canada Centre was electric leading up to Igor’s fight. ‘Back in Black’ by AC/DC kicked in on the arena speakers and I knew it was go time. Igor looked ready to kill as he walked towards the Octagon. ‘The Polish Experiment’ entered the Octagon to a loud ovation by the Canadian fans.
After Igor’s 35-second knockout of the Polish experiment, I immediately went back to the media center hoping to get a post-fight interview with Pokrajac. As soon as the “Duke” entered the room, we shook hands and had a little talk about the fight as the other reporters waited in the shadows. I was awarded the first post-fight interview with Igor and that in itself was an honor as many of the big MMA reporters were forced to wait for their exclusive with Pokrajac. I ended the night celebrating Igor’s victory with drinks and Greek food with The “Duke” and his crew at their hotel.
POKRAJAC POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW
On Sunday, I went to the hotel to see Igor off as his flight left Toronto for Zagreb at 4pm. I introduced him to my wife and little guy as we chatted for a bit before he went to his room to pack. Igor and his teammates are true class acts. I cannot say enough good things about them as they embraced me as one of their own the entire weekend. These guys are true Hrvati and I consider them now to be friends. The weekend could not have gone any better and Igor getting a 35-second knock out was the icing on the cake.
I encourage anyone on the site if they have an event they want to cover, let Croatiansports.com know and we might be able to get you media credentials for the event.
Last but not least: Luka, if you are reading this, don’t forget to say, “no onions on your vegetarian Greek wrap or salad.”
Update
Mirko Cro Cop Filipović will apparently be fighting in March under the K1 banner in Zagreb, Croatia. This would mark his return to kickboxing as his last match was a victory against Bob Sapp in 2003. Let’s see how this story develops in the upcoming months.
Written by Mike “Croatian Crippler” Rožić
You can follow me on Twitter @crocrippler or on Facebook: Croatian Crippler.
I have many interested parties here in Canberra Australia for the UFC140 walkout shirt, please remember us when making and distributing. Much appreciated, John.
Any updates on the Pokrajac t-shirts?
hvala Ivan, much appreciated brother 🙂
@Tonko – T3
The walkout shirts should be availible soon i will keep you guys updated.
@mattyjurcic
Thanks buddy> How you been?
@Ivan Magdic was just wondering if you had any updates on those Pokrajac walkout T-Shirts or if there were any similar boxing / mma one also available….
Hvala puno
hey mikey great interview thunder bay misses the Croatian crippler!
Here is another up and coming Croatian MMA fighter but he is fighting a chump in this video. The video is pretty funny because they almost fight twice.
Maro Perak vs Bobb Sapp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OAL-MBn0ZEI
@Ivan Magdic
Nice to see you on the site its been a long time and yah for sure we should go just let me know.
Igor’s walkout shirt are slick and will be availible very soon. I will keep you guys updated when they become availible.
I haven’t seen that much intensity and force in a (light) heavyweight scrap before. Amazing speed and power.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it were Kuze. He’d fit the role of a Mamic puppet/coach well.
I’d certainly like to see Kovac in charge, not sure if these 2nd division managers would make much difference though
@ Conor
Niko Kovac (our former captain and current assistant at Red Bull Salzburg in Austria)
Milan Sasic (2. Bundesliga manager)
Nenad Bjelica (Austrian second division)
Vladimir Weiss (Slovakia NT & Slovan Bratislava)
Luigi Delneri (former Juve manager)
Josip Kuze (well traveled HNL manager – Rijeka, Varazdin, Dinamo, NK Zagreb)
@Armada:
I know all about Wikipedia trolls. I believe I was the manager for a short time today. Can anyone give me a list of all the candidates (however unlikely)?.
Also, does anyone know where you can purchase Igor’s walkout T-shirt? looks awesome
Mike, glad to see that you are doing what your doing, we need to go to a UFC event together sometime, me you and Tomi, he has never been yet.
Great job!!!
@ Conor
He’s a supposed ‘candidate’ for the job, but he’s already the coach of the Slovak NT and Slovan Bratislava. Doubt he would leave both of those roles for Dinamo. Probably some people just messing around on Wikipedia as usual.
Anyone know why Vladimir Weiss is listed as the manager on Dinamo’s Wikipedia page?
Great job again Mike and all the best to Igor, we’ll be watching as you advance from here!!!!!
Yeah Mike, you’re right. You’re a true Hrvat and a friend for sure. And I really need to learn to say “no onion”… Mike Rozic is the man!
Nice job!! Seems like a class act!
Great interview Mike! look forward to your next one soon.
Great job Mike!
@ Rozic well done I like to see Hrvati treating Hrvati with class and not with angst and jealousy, he seems like someone I could groove with no problem and I hope to see him do well in the future…. Excellent job Crippler……-U-
@Crippler,
Well done sir! Pokrajac seems like a class act guy. Yes the guy is still a small fish in a big pond and is trying to get his name out. However, the guy hasn’t forgotten where he came from and his roots. A guy I’d like to sit down with and have a beer with, even though I don’t know anything about MMA… I would keep bringing up “sooo…. Hajduk or Dinamo?”
Good shit. Guys still sweating from the 35 second beat down.