“Drastic” Changes Made by Mirko Cro Cop, New Team Cro Cop Staff

Published on: 10th November, 2009

"Drastic" Changes Made by Mirko Cro Cop, New Team Cro Cop Staff | read this item

There has been the question for quite sometime wondering what would be the next move for Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic who was decisively defeated by heavyweight up and comer Junior Dos Santos at UFC 103 if he was going to continue fighting inside the Octagon or call it a career and retire? But, Cro Cop decided that he will continue to fight on and make the necessary adjustments possible to become one of the most feared strikers in MMA once again.

In a release from a source close to Cro Cop tells Croatian newspaper Index.hr with translation via Fighters Only that the 2006 PRIDE open weight Grand Prix champion has made “drastic” changes in Team Cro Cop in Zagreb as he has parted ways with his longtime Boxing coach, Marjan Zizanovic and is now working with a Muay Thai trainer.

“After the defeat by Dos Santos, Filipovic has announced drastic changes in the training methods and composition of Team CroCop”

“Marjan Zizanovic is no longer his boxing coach. Instead, CroCop is now working with the Dutch Muay Thai legend Ivan Hippolyte, who these days resides in Zagreb. Filipovic will combine training at his own facility with visits to the Netherlands where he can train with top-notch sparring partners,” the report states.

Mirko has also let go of his longtime sparring partner, Igor Pokrajac who is also a fighter in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.

“Igor Pokrajac, CroCop’s long-time friend and sparring partner, is also no longer in Filipovic’s team. Pokrajac continues his career with the UFC, but is no longer training with Filipovic although the pair remain on good terms.”

In addition to the report the rumored match-up with Ben Rothwell at UFC 110 is expected to be made an official bout within the next couple of days as the promotion makes their first trip to Australia.

But, this proves to be a good first step that Cro Cop is looking to make the necessary changes in his training regimen in order to become relevant once again and hopefully his next move is to see a sports psychiatrist as planned.

Nelson Rodriguez AKA: Nelo2.0 is the Co - Owner of URDirt.com who is also an Editor and Author on the site. Read more from this author

Readers Comments

Fedor is legend says:

November 10, 2009 at 8:40 am (Quote)

Cro cop needs a sports psychiatrist he doesn’t have any heart any more

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Rick Johnson says:

November 10, 2009 at 8:41 am (Quote)

Maybe Forrest could use that also. There is a fine line between not having enough heart and having too much. But the end result is similar.

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Cole says:

November 10, 2009 at 11:28 am (Quote)

Good. He should also make a call to Dr. Phil….maybe Dr. Phil can sharpen his mind and relight his fighting spirit.

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Dave says:

November 29, 2009 at 9:08 pm (Quote)

It’s good to hear that crocop wants to make adjustments to his training. I think relight his drive by looking at Dream welterweight champion, Marius Zaromskis. This champion mma striker can give crocop many good striking technique suggestions so crocop can hone and upgrade his striking toolbox such as feints with spinning back heel kicks, punching combos ending with a thai roundhouse kick, punching combos, flying knees, etc. It will be nice to see more striking mma fighters in mma, and crocop can be one of them. However, crocop also needs to work on his motivation and be prepared psychologically, not just physically prepared.

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