Fighter Profile: Mirko "Cro Cop" Filopovic

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 220 lbs

Born: September 10, 1974

Current Organization: UFC

Professional Record: 27-9-2

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filopovic is a mixed martial artist and former K-1 kick boxer who currently fights in the heavyweight division of the UFC. Filopovic’s nickname “Cro Cop” (short for “Croatian Cop”) stems from his former membership in Croatia’s anti-terrorist unit ATJ Lucko.

Cro Cop is said to have recorded an amateur kick boxing record of 40-5 before joining K-1 in 1996 and turning professional. He found success in the organization, beating many notable opponents including Mike Bernardo, Marko Hunt, Bob Sapp and Musashi. Between 1996 and 2003 Cro Cop accumulated a K-1 record of 16-7.

In 2001 Filopovic began to transition to MMA, entering the Pride organization. He went undefeated in his first 9 MMA fights, including notable wins over stars Kazushi Sakaraba and Heath Herring as well as a draw against Pride middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva. Cro Cop became known for his vicious head kicks by which he won 3 of his first 9 fights. His early success earned him a bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the Pride interim heavyweight championship. Cro Cop controlled the first round with his stand up but was caught with an arm bar in the second round for his first career loss.

After another two wins, Cro Cop would suffer another devastating loss to Kevin Randleman in the opening round of the Heavyweight Grand Prix. The Croatian would recover in a big way however, going on arguably the most successful stretch of his career. He strung together eight straight wins against many notable fighters including Aleksander Emelianenko, Josh Barnett and Mark Coleman. He would also avenge his second career loss when he submitted Kevin Randleman at Pride Shockwave 2004. This impressive winning streak would earn him a title shot against Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (Fedor vs Cro Cop video). Cro Cop went on to lose a unanimious decision, but the bout would go down as one of the toughest of Emelianenko’s career.

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In 2006 Cro Cop would enter the Pride Openweight Grand Prix. After wins over Ikuhisa Minowa and Hidehiko Yoshida, Cro Cop knocked out Wanderlei Silva with one of his signature head kicks to move on the final round. The final fight would be a third rematch with Josh Barnett. The bout ended 7:32 into the first round when Barnett submitted after sustaining an eye injury. The win would prove to be the high point in Filopovic’s career.

In December of 2006 it was announced that Cro Cop had signed with rival promotion the UFC. He made his debut at UFC 67 against Eddie Sanchez and Cro Cop would win by TKO in the first round. He would fight again at UFC 70, this time against up and comer Gabriel Gonzaga. In an ironic finish it would be a high head kick by the young Brazilian that would knock out Cro Cop near the end of the first round. Another loss to Cheick Kongo by unanimous decision lead to Cro Cop’s departure from the UFC.

Filoppvic would return to Japan where he would compete in the newly formed DREAM organization. He would fight two bouts with the promotion, winning once and receiving a no contest in the other, due to multiple groin shots delivered by Alistair Overeem. Cro Cop would then fight 7’2”, 330 lb Hong Man Choi at Dynamite!! 2008. Filopovic would win by TKO due to a vicious leg kick in the first round.

In 2009, following reconstructive knee surgery, Cro Cop contacted UFC president Dana White about returning to the organization. White obliged and scheduled Filopovic to fight at UFC 99 against Mustapha Al Turk. Cro Cop won by TKO early in the first round by what would later be revealed to be an accidental eye poke. Following the fight rumours began that Cro Cop would leave the UFC once again and return to DREAM. However, following a visit to Croatia by UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertida, Cro Cop agreed to sign back with the UFC.

Cro Cop’s next fight will be against Junior Dos Santos and is expected to take place at UFC 103 on September 26, 2009.

Recent Mirko Cro Cop MMA News:

• Lost to Junior dos Santos by Submission at UFC 103 on September 19, 2009 - UFC 103 results

• Defeated Anthony Perosh by TKO at UFC 110 on February 20, 2010 - UFC 110 results

• Defeated Patrick Barry via Submission at UFC 115 on June 12, 2010 in Vancouver - UFC 115 results

• Lost to Frank Mir by KO at UFC 119 on September 25, 2010 - UFC 119 results

• Lost to Brendan Schaub by KO at UFC 128 on March 19, 2011 - UFC 128 results

By Travis Fleming
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published March 2011