Source: Mirko "Cro Cop" Chooses UFC

Randy Orton

WC's Resident Alchoholic

Source: Mirko "Cro Cop" Chooses UFC
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Wednesday, December 13, 2006
by Jeff Sherwood and Josh Gross

Reigning PRIDE Open-Weight Grand Prix champion Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) has apparently decided to bolster the ranks of the UFC heavyweight division, a source inside the Croatian's camp informed Sherdog.com Wednesday.

Rumors have buzzed of Filipovic's departure from PRIDE since his official Web site reported in recent days that he would not fight on the Japanese promoter's year-end card.

Filipovic, the No. 2 heavyweight in the world behind PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures), would make an immediate impact on a division that has long been considered among the weakest in the UFC. Terms are not known, but it's expected Fillipovic, 32, could sign one of the most expensive multi-fight deals in UFC history.

A former K-1 star, "Cro Cop" moved from kickboxing to mixed martial arts in 2001, and has since amassed in impressive 21-4-2 record. His biggest accomplishment in MMA occurred just last September, when the Fighter of the Year candidate stopped Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) and Josh Barnett (Pictures) on the same night to capture PRIDE's Grand Prix crown.

It was believed tournament victory would secure Filipovic a second crack at Emelianenko, whom the Croatian lost to by decision in epic August 2005 clash.

Filipovic's four losses have come against Emelianenko, former K-1 World Grand Prix champion Mark Hunt (Pictures), a shocking knockout against former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman (Pictures) and by submission in a classic battle against former PRIDE heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures).

"Cro Cop" is renowned for his striking skills, which features a devastating left high kick that is responsible for highlight-reel victories against the likes of Silva, Igor Vovchanchyn (Pictures) and Aleksander Emelianenko (Pictures).

The super-striker would immediately vault to the top of the contender list for Tim Sylvia (Pictures)'s UFC heavyweight belt, should the "Maine-iac," who is currently renegotiating his contract with the Las Vegas-based promoter, remain with the organization.

There has been some discussion inside the UFC that "Cro Cop," who was not under contract to PRIDE, would make his cage-fighting debut versus Jake O'Brien (Pictures), a young, undefeated fighter whose strength is on the mat.

source:sherdog

Dakstang

MMA Moderator

I hope this is true and he kicks Sylvia's ass.

Sylvia has no competition right now.

Should be interesting.

Stop talkin' bout stayin' the course
You keep on beatin' that old dead horse
You know they lied about why we went to War
I can't take it no more

Twist of Lemon

yep, this has been all the talk of the MMA fans the last few days. Im still pissed they didnt annouce it on UFN...i mean seriously him and rampage are big signings. Hopefully 66 is when they annouce it

AudioSavior

He whooped Wanderlei Silva's ass, like GSP whooped Hughes' ass. Wanderlei must be pissed he won't get a re-match. I wonder if that will make him go to UFC too.

blackmetal

Wandy wont get a re-match because he got one in the OWGP and got butchered by Cro Cop!And Wandy won't go to UFC because he is PRIDE's middlleweight champ and he hasno intentions leaving PRIDE.And as fro the rumors that Cro Cop is going to UFC Mirko mabe an official statment and said that.Those are just rumors that he hasn't signed anything yet.And that he is still under Pride's contract.