Cro Cop In Talks With UFC For 2009 Return?

Mirko Cro Cop has been dropping several hints in recent interviews in the Croatian press that he is planning a major move in 2009.

These rumors first appeared when Mirko made a blog post on MMA ID stating that his NYE fight would mark a new chapter in his career: "This fight I'll end one chapter and start another. I'll post more information about my plans after the show. And no, I'm not retiring, thanks for asking!"

When asked about his plans for 2009 at Zagreb airport earlier today he remained vague: “I don’t know. I’ll have to wait and see. I cant say anything right now. I’m just focused on this fight and we’ll see what happens after that.”

Now according to this post Dana White appeared on the Best Damn Sports show and stated that Cro Cop could return to the UFC 2009. (Note: I haven't seen the show and hence don't know how accurate this guys recollection is. If anyone can confirm this quote please let me know)

"We haven't really discussed that yet. We have a lot of shit we are doing, and that event isn't on our heads. We could see the return of Cro Cop on the show, who knows. If he wins, he will definitely be welcomed back into the UFC."

It looks like his move very much depends on his fight with Hong Man Choi. If the Croatian returns to winning form a return to the UFC looks possible. What makes this rumor even more plausible is the fact that Cro Cop still trains in a cage rather than a ring. This could mean two things. One he is too cheap to remove the cage and install another ring or B he still plans to return to the UFC as he promised when he left the organization one year ago. Bringing Cro Cop back at this time would make a lot of sense considering the UFC's expansion into mainland Europe.

Mirko Cro Cop Leaves For Japan Confident of Victory

Mirko Cro Cop met with the Croatian press one final time at Zagreb airport before leaving for Japan. This is an translation of a Nova TV report via free fight videos.

Mirko Cro Cop has left for Japan with his NYE bout with Korean giant Hong Man Choi less than three days away.

In preparation for the 2.18 meter tall and 160 kg K1 star Mirko has been sparing with former Croatian basketball star Franjo Arapovic.

We met Mirko at Zagreb airport for his final interview before leaving for Japan.

Cro Cop Doesn’t Plan To Exchange Strikes With Choi

“Its just another fight. I have to follow my game plan. I cant exchange with a man that’s has such big reach and weight advantage over me. I’ll be cautious.” explained Cro Cop.

When asked of what he thought about his opponent “It’s a dangerous fight. Any one that size is dangerous. ”

When asked about his plans for 2009 Cro Cop replied;

“I don’t know. I’ll have to wait and see. I cant say anything right now. I’m just focused on this fight and we’ll see what happens after that.”

His will be Cro Cop first fight since the no-contest with Overeem in September. His last victory a first round TKO over Tatsuya Mizuno at Dream 1. You’ll be able to catch Cro Cop’s new years eve match live on Nova TV staring at 12.00 noon.

Robert's UFC 92 Predictions

Here we go UFC 92 is finally here. Its a Pride FC inspired card with 3 former stars of the defunct organization co-headlining the event. UFC 92 is also a tribute to the success of the Ultimate Fighter reality TV show with season one and season two winners battling it out for the light heavyweight belt. Its by far the deepest card the UFC has put together this year. Before we start here are the latest UFC 92 lines.



Betting Lines from Bookmaker

Forrest Griffin -125 vs. Rashad Evans +105

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira -325 vs. Frank Mir +250

Quinton Jackson +110 vs. Wanderlei Silva -115

Dean Lister +275 vs. Yushin Okami -350

Cheick Kongo -350 vs. Mustapha Al-Turk +275

Brad Blackburn +185 vs. Ryo Chonan -225

CB Dollaway -150 vs. Mike Massenzio +120

Matt Hamill -500 vs. Reese Andy +300

Dan Evensen +175 vs. Pat Barry -215

Antoni Hardonk -500 vs. Mike Wessel +300

A reminder for those looking to bet this stacked card. Sign up with the guys at Bookmaker.com my recommended MMA and UFC sportsbook. They have full lines up for UFC 92. If you're in Vegas the Venetian Resort casino also has full odds up. Now on to my complete picks and predictions.

Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans

Griffin has been given a lot of credit for his wins over Rampage Jackson and Shogun Rua. Perhaps a little to much credit. Even with those wins I don’t think Griffin is in the same league as the two aforementioned fighters. I don’t get me wrong Griffin is a great fighter whoever he has overachieved in the UFC given his skill and talent level. It wasn’t too long ago that Griffin lost via quick knock out to fellow TUF alumni Keith Jardine. Last year he struggled to finish Hector Ramirez in an uninspiring battle in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was on back of that victory that the TUF 1 winner received a shot against the then number one light heavyweight fighter in the world Mauricio Shogun Rua. The rest as they is MMA history.

Rashad Evans received a totally different reception from both the UFC and MMA community to that of Forrest Griffin. His style was and for the most part still is pretty one dimensional. On top of it all he was accused of poor sportsman ship when at times he showboated. Non the less he remained unbeaten throughout the first two years of his UFC career without raising a lot of fan fare. Though the odds makers see it as an extremely close bout I cant envision anything other than an easy decision victory for Rashad. The bout is almost guaranteed to go the distance. I predict a five round domination by Evans.


Quinton Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva

This is bout I’m looking forward to the post. These guys know each others game inside and out. Both poses knockout power while at the same time are very proficient on the ground.

Rampage is coming of a tumultuous time in his career and personal life. Not only did he loose the UFC belt, he came close to loosing his life and was lucky not to end up serving time for his hit and run incident. He makes his UFC return against arch nemesis Wanderlei Silva.

Silva holds a tremendous physiologically over the former UFC champion. Silva ground game is sold however mainly limited to stalling and avoiding damage when on the bottom. He still holds the slight advantage on his feet however Rampage has improved leaps and bounds in that department. Still if Silva can keep it on the feet, he should be good enough to ride out a close decision.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir

In the co-main event current interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira "Big Nog" will face comeback kid and former UFC champion Frank Mir. Both fighters have are coming off vital victories and are somewhat unlucky not to receive a title shot against Couture. Non the less the winner will face current champion Brock Lesnar.

Its strength vs. strength in his title shot eliminator. Both men poses some of the best BJJ in MMA. The general consensus is that Big Nog has the slight advantage on the ground. There is no doubt that the former Pride star has a clear advantage standing and clear advantage in conditioning. There are not many ways Mir can win this fight. Nog is deserving favorite and should control proceedings from start to finish. A round three TKO is my prediction.

While this may be a somewhat interesting match-up for the heavyweight division for me the main event at Affliction featuring Fedor vs. Arlovski is still the bigger match-up.

K1 Fields Dynamite 2008 betting odds released

Less than a week before event the good folks at Bet-At-Home.com have released their Fields Dynamite 2008 odds. Their are some surprising lines:

Mirko Filipovic 1.35
Hong Man Choi 2.90

Hideo Tokoro 1.65
Daisuke Nakamura 2.00

Jerome Lebanner 1.45
Mark Hunt 2.50

Joachim Hansen 1.70
J.Z. Calvancanti 1.95

Kazushi Sakuraba 1.50
Kiyoshi Tamura 2.35

Semmy Schilt 1.12
Mighty Mo 5.50

Shinya Aoki 1.80
Eddie Alvarez 1.80

Cro Cop is a huge favorite going into his bout with Hong Man Choi. That may take a lot of people by surprise however Choi hasn't been at his best for either and it is a MMA match after all. The big surprise for me is that Le Banner is such big favourite over Mark Hunt. I would have thought that the odds would have favoured the New Zealander would does have a pretty good ground game and who once came close to submitting Fedor. Odds curtesy of Bet-at-home.

Cro Cop Spars With Basketball Star In Preparation For Choi

This is a exclusive translation from Croatian news site Sportal (Check out their gallery of Mirko Cro Cop's new training partner)

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The two former MP’s spar inside Mirko Cro Cop’s basement octagon. Franjo Arapovic is the perfect sparing partner for Cro Cop as he prepares to battle Hong Man Choi. Arapovic is a former Croatian basketball star winning silver medals at both the 1992 and 1988 Olympics with Croatia and Yugoslavia.

“Franjo is the tallest man I know. Only three centimeters shorter and ten kilo grams lighter than my opponent. I‘m able to simulate Choi’s height and feel his weight” said Cro Cop.

Arapovic is 215 cm tall and weighs approximately 140 kg with Hong Man Chois weight fluctuating between 150 and 160 kg.


Cro Cop goes for an arm bar.


Reaching Choi's head wont be a problem according to Arapovic.

Randy Couture predictions for UFC 92

Randy Couture has an uncanny ability to predict the outcome of UFC events. For years he has displayed his acumen in the commentary booth picking the most unlikely upsets including picking Gonzaga over Cro Cop, Rampage Jackson over Liddell and Forrest Griffin over Shogun Rua. His picks for UFC 92 are included in this video interview.

Badr Hari vs Alistair Overeem at Dynamite

Its official K1 superstar Badr Hari will face Alistair Overeem at this months Fields Dynamite 2008. The two will fight under K1 rules however a rematch under MMA rules is confirmed for 2009. The news was released by Overeem himself at his official website.

Next Victim: BADR HARI!
The discussion was who would fight under whos rules first and Alistair stepped up first! Alistair will fight Badr Hari at K1 Dynamite 31 December under K1 rules! Since Badr Hari challenged Alistair he sees no other option than cause another demolition and knock Badr Hari out! Both fighters agreed to fight in MMA rules early 2009!

Sergei Kharitonov was Overeem's initial opponent for the event but the Russian has been pulled from the card after an illness.

It was doubtful if Badr Hari would get to fight at Dynamite but FEG opted not to suspend the Dutchmen choosing to instead fine and strip him of his K1 title.