(Mirko celebrates his 2002 K-1 victory over King Hippo.)
Holy crap! It seems that scoring wins over Tatsuya Mizuno and Hong Man Choi — and getting his nuts kicked in by Alistair Overeem — was enough to earn Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic an invite back to the UFC; the Croatian legend ended his first Octagon run in early 2008 after becoming the biggest bust in UFC history. Here’s the word directly from Cro Cop’s MMA-ID blog:
So we have some big news! I decided to fight in the UFC again, because of the stronger competition in the heavyweight division. My next opponent will be Mustapha Al-Turk. I didn’t do well in my first three appearances – I wasn’t myself. By returning to the cage I want to prove that I can still fight at highest level, no matter when or where.
A few months ago, Cro Cop was quoted as saying he wanted to make his UFC return at UFC 99 (June 13th; Cologne, Germany) — and hoped to face Randy Couture; too bad Randy’s already booked. Though Cro Cop didn’t mention a date in his blog post, #99 would still make sense for him, geographically speaking.
In case you’ve already forgotten about Mustapha Al-Turk, he’s the 6-4 Cage Rage vet who got wrecked by Cheick Kongo at his UFC debut in December. UFC.com actually has him listed on UFC 99′s fight card page against ATT prospect Todd Duffee, but it looks like Duff’s gonna get shafted so that Cro Cop can get an easy return fight in front of a European crowd. Past struggles aside, we’re confident that Mirko can beat Mustapha’s ass. Unfortunately, he’ll lose via head-kick KO when he takes on Shane Carwin in his next fight. Such is the curse of Cro Cop.
We’ll let you know when the UFC gives this match an official date…
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Comments
Mon, 05/18/09 - 01:48
So in other words, Al Turk is going to get Eddie Sanchez'd, and then Cro Cop is going to get Cro Cop'd?
Mon, 05/18/09 - 01:49
Well, nothing against Al-Turk, but hopefully Cro Cop head kicks him unconscious. Just to bring back some of the mystique.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 01:52
Is Crocop sponsored by Purina dog food? I never understood those lame ass shorts he always wears.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 01:56
Just google image search the Croatian flag.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 01:58
Oh god I hope CroCop gets a W. He desperately needs to fuck Al-Turk up. Hopefully hes actually himself.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 01:59
Either way good news for Cro Cop!! This time around he's gonna be acclimated to the Cage since he's already competed there and he bought himself his own to train in at his gym which will make a workd of difference imo. Mustapha is a bad fight for him I thinks, dude can be dangerous and would hate to see his return be spoiled by a 'lucky' punch. Surprised he didnt get a bigger name, sucks Couture already is taking on Nog, woulda liked to see them go at it, but Nog vs COuture is gonna be good to I hope
Mon, 05/18/09 - 01:59
I always liked Cro Cop, this should be good.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:00
Haha Mike I was just about to say that.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:00
"In case you've already forgotten about Mustapha Al-Turk, he's the 6-4 Cage Rage vet who got wrecked by Cheick Kongo" Al-Turk also had his nuts wrecked in that fight due to Kongo being an fucking ass.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:01
There was also some serious Dana nutriding at the end of that blog. I wonder if he offered up his first born for a shot back in the octogon.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:03
Nutriding? If that had happened to you, you would probably cry.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:04
CroCop is nasty and i'm glad he's going to be back in the UFC. When he faught before he had a bad knee injury, and even if he doesn't win the title, he will still be a legitate contender if he comes back and is anywhere near the fighter he was.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:18
I'd love to see cro cop back! FUCK YEAH!
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:18
Al Turk, that guy has a win over Mark Kerr. Serious business!
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:45
You fucking dicks. No way Mirko loses via head kick to Carwin. Carwin can't even raise his goddamn legs up. 2009-1010 = Mirko reigns destruction on the UFC HW division. Let it be known, Mirko will punish.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:55
im calling bullshit on that. Cro cop gives me no reason to be "excited" for his return. He will get molested in the HW divison by Carwin, Lesnar, Gonzaga (twice) and shit, Cain Velasquez could probably whoop that ass. I could care less about this guy, keep him in japan fighting monsters and such but UFC is for real contenders in their prime.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 02:57
BallPointPenThief ought to get comment of the week for that one. Absoulutely awesome with it's originality, especially considering the nature of this site's fanbase. You know, sexually confused pre pubescents who typein capitals?...
Mon, 05/18/09 - 03:12
Always good to see an exciting KO fighter making a comeback. Cop's probably got a few good years left in him; he just needs to train his ass off and get his head straight. Another tough loss though and I can see him retiring sooner rather than later.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 03:43
@ Mayhem Al Turk hit Kongo with a low blow first so, what does that make him? Low blows or not, Kongo whooped his ass easily!
Mon, 05/18/09 - 03:47
Speaking of Kongo if the UFC wants to build up Cro Cop again they should give him the Kongo treatment, because they've done nothing but feed that guy tomato cans since he lost to Heath Herring.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 04:08
So...that means crocop's fighting at 99?
Mon, 05/18/09 - 04:35
Just when you never thought you would get to place a safe bet on Al-Turk.......................
Mon, 05/18/09 - 04:36
That is to say, poor CroCop, gets to come back and get ashamed again.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 05:12
my prediction is that cro cop will shoot into a perfect firemans carry takedown and transition straight into a textbook arm bar for the win in under 15 seconds....for real for real
Mon, 05/18/09 - 05:47
Right on, I hope he brings the damage this time around :) =WAR CRO COP=
Mon, 05/18/09 - 05:58
I hope he comes back and dominates this time around. WAR CRO COP
Mon, 05/18/09 - 06:06
And in case you actually remember Mustapha Al-Turk, get a hobby, take off your Houston Alexander Lugz, go outside, and stop obsessing over the UFC's shittiest fighters.
Mon, 05/18/09 - 08:56
Al-Turk has already shown that he has the tools to beat crocop - the ball buster
Mon, 05/18/09 - 10:55
OMG yessss... WAR mirko¡¡
Tue, 05/19/09 - 06:20
Hey Lysol, how about you fuck off and go watch dancing with the stars if you aren't interested in watching MMA. Al-Turk has had more fights than just the one raushambeau contest with Kongo, and is going to embarrass the Cop, again.
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