Photo: Sherdog.com
UFC Light Heavyweight contender Anthony “The Hippo” Perosh was gracious enough to give The Croatian Crippler an interview following his loss to Ryan Jimmo at UFC 149. The loss snapped Perosh’s three fight win streak since moving to the UFC light heavyweight division. Look for the Australian Born Croat to make a quick come back and get back in the win column in his next bout.
Enjoy the interview and post any comments or questions you may have for Perosh or the Croatian Crippler.
1. Where in Hrvatska is your family from? and do you go back often? Can you speak the language?
My dad is from Solta and my mum from Kastel Stari. I first went in 1980 when I was 7 years old and then didn’t go again for 30 years! Now I have been back 3 times in the past 3 years. I can speak conversational Croatian.
2. Do you attend Croatian events in Australia?
I do attend if it is a big event or a holiday or a celebration of some sort.
3. Do you follow any other Croatian athletes such as the national soccer team for example?
I enjoy watching the Croatian basketball team play and anytime a Croatian is competing I always go for them. Unless they are playing an Australian haha
4. Do you have any favorite Croatian music artists you listen to?
No I don’t but I wish I did. I am a heavy metal fan.
5. You had a three fight win streak ended in your last fight with Ryan Jimmo. Is there anything you would of done different leading up to the fight? or in the fight?
The only thing I did wrong was not being switched on when the bell rang. From now when the bell rings I will jump out of the blocks.
6. How did your training camp go for your last fight?
It was great. I would not have changed anything. I had a good mix of conditioning, sparring and technique with boxing, wrestling and BJJ coaches. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to show off my skills in my last fight.
7. After this loss whats your next move? Any ideas when you will get back into the Octagon?
I am just playing the waiting game waiting to hear when my next fight will be. I am hoping to fight end of the year.
8. In your next fight is there anyone you would like to fight next?
I will fight anyone the UFC puts in front of me. Except Igor Pokrajac haha as we are friends and team mates.
9. You have trained with Mirko CroCop and have also competed against him. Is there anything you can say about training with him and what is was like competing against him?
It was a great honour to train and fight him. I have nothing but respect for him.
10. Do you have any plans of going back to Hrvatska to train with either Mirko, Igor Pokrajac, Goran Reljic etc….?
I don’t have any immediate plans but I would love to come back to Croatia and train.
11. Have you followed the other Croatian UFC fighters like Pokrajac and Stipe Miocic? Any comments on them?
Yes I am in regular contact with Igor. He is doing great on a 3 fight win streak and Stipe is doing great too. They both have big fights coming up and I wish them all the best.
12. How many more fights do you see yourself competing in the UFC?
My goal is to keep fighting and winning in the UFC for as long as I can.
13. Any plans on retiring in the future or are we going to see the Hippo tapping out guys for another ten years?
I will keep fighting until my mind or body gives up…whichever comes first!
14. Anthony “The Hippo” Perosh vs Mike “Croatian Crippler`Rozic what would be the outcome?
At the start of round 1 The Crippler will start running around the ring and keep running for 4 minutes 30 seconds until he tires himself out and falls down. I will then jump on top, get his back and win by rear naked choke in 4.57 of the first round
15. One last question Dinamo Zagreb or Hajduk Split?
Hajduk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interview Conducted by Mike “The Croatian Crippler”.
You can follow the Crippler on twitter @Crocrippler or on FaceBook @ Croatian Crippler.
Crippler is just mad because i’m far more athletic than him and he’s mad I’m a mega Frank Mir supporter.
@anonymous,
I don’t live there!
Great story.
Ante is not a Fag.Cro first,Show some class, though not possible for all.
Ante, don’t be a fag
We should be like Jews and put our people first!!!! Always Croatia!!!!!
Great job again Mike!
@Ivica-Dont be sorry,I dont really have a problem with it,I go for Croatia first also as I mentioned,I just think you have a odd reality about things,and yes,you are pretty disrepectful toward your birth country,stop kidding yourself about where you live,were born and where your bones will probably lie when you leave us!you act a little like some non associated Muslim youth who have problems fitting in.Go for Croatia,I do,but I would never” not give a shit “about my birth country,its simply bad form.
Cilic v Murray on Ashe (Center Court) tomorrow afternoon in the U.S Open Quarterfinals.
Sharapova and Del Potro/Roddick play before him so he will probably start around 4 ET
@ Ante & Anonymous
Sorry, but whenever Cro plays a team in any sport, I go for Cro. Even when they play against Canada, I still go for Cro.
Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I am who I am. I think Canada is a great place to live for stable employment purposes, but you can’t fault me for not having a strong connection with the country.
Sorry Ante, but just because I don’t give a shit about Canadians in sport, doesn’t mean I disrespect Canada. I’m a hard working, tax paying citizen who is a net positive in this country. I’m sure the big wigs up top would rather have an unpatriotic, yet hard working and burden free citizen paying his taxes and not asking for anything else, than some flag waving patriot who’s unemployed, on welfare and is in and out of prison from time to time.
Besides, it’s not really just me. This is a major problem with Canadians in general, and it is well known that Canadians do not have any patriotism. It’s hard to pinpoint the reason too, as everyone seems to have their theories about it. Either way, I’m happy being a Canadian-born Croat who cheers for Croatia. Sorry to hear you have such a problem with this.
@Jarac
…but then don’t live there if you feel “who cares about Canada”.
Sve za hrvatsku, hrvatsku nizasto!
I agree, who cares about Canadia!
@Ivica-I agree with the comment above,not quite sure what makes you tick,you are quite the “Veliki Hrvat”,thats great.I personally go for Croatians first in sport,but I know plenty who go for their birth country first,you cant hold that against someone,thats all fine with your opinion on things,but something that I have always remembered about you was a comment that you only care about Croatia and “dont really give a shit about Canada”really?you said this a while back.I have never been to Canada,but I see the comment as more negative about you than the country.Go for Croatia,but learn to show some respect to a country that I am sure has given you a whole lot,or maybe take up residency in Croatia then.
@ Ivica
Why?
Are we starting blood vs country of birth again? Which one is more important? I guess depends on a pearson.
For Perosh: country of birth.
I feel lucky that for me it is the same.
As usual Mike a terrific job!
“I enjoy watching the Croatian basketball team play and anytime a Croatian is competing I always go for them. Unless they are playing an Australian haha”
The only part of the interview I didn’t like
😉
Nice work!
Oh Steven you are such a funny guy but anytime let me know when you are ready.
intresting atricle… i just by chance heard a radio interview with him in australia and was asked who his fav fighter was and who he looks up to , it wasnt any croatian fighter. some brazilian .. I thought he mentioned that cro cop was his fav ?//
Really cool interview, you do a really good job Mike. I applaud Anthony for describing what would happen if Crippler ever dared to fight me.