Even if the split with Dana and the UFC was amicable and that he may return "someday" (I'm hoping that's the case), I think he forever subjected himself to being viewed as unable to hang at the UFC's level.
Is anyone extremely surprised at this decision?
I think he doesnt really care what the majority of American fans feel about him because he is extremely popular in Japan.
One thing you do have to admit is, in Japan, win or lose, you are rewarded by showing you willingness to fight. In the states, not so much.
Also, are you guys forgetting that UFC wanted to make him fight for LESS money.
Would you work your job you currently have if they said "we're going to take 2 dollars an hour away from you".
No you'd go find another job that you could get paid what you felt you were worth
They shoulda let him fight under the conditions, if you smash-you cash. if you bore-you poor.
"I think he forever subjected himself to being viewed as unable to hang at the UFC's level."
Yup.
"They shoulda let him fight under the conditions, if you smash-you cash. if you bore-you poor. "
And he would have said "No, I'm going to go to Japan where I can make the same amount of money I was with no stipulations".
You guys seem to always forget what is most important... MONEY. Would you work you job for less money than oh say the competitor when they have offered you a job doing the same thing?
Seriously, shut the fuck up.
Stop with this wanting him to fight for less money rumor. ITS NOT TRUE. He is just going to Japan for a few tune up fights as opposed to fight Colin Robinson in the UFC and then he'll be back fighting top contenders once again.
"Stop with this wanting him to fight for less money rumor. ITS NOT TRUE. He is just going to Japan for a few tune up fights as opposed to fight Colin Robinson in the UFC and then he'll be back fighting top contenders once again. "
Then why have reports came out from credible sources saying the exact opposite?
Sandy Panties > Brigham
^^^ Exactly.
$ indeed are super important, but also achieving the highest honors in your given vocation is equally important to many people.
Take a look at pro athletes in other sports who have taken pay cuts (albeit late in their careers) to try and be on a championship team. I think its more than the $ for some athletes.
I feel it looks a little bad.
I understand that he doesn't want to take a pay cut, but he did lose 2 in a row and didn't make the impression the UFC would've hoped for.
He should've fought and WON, then they would pay him.
Losing doesn't get U paid in the UFC.
I'll remember him as the stud who knocked out Wandy and made it look easy.
Nice legs, eh?
Hey tough guy, how 'bout I kick you in the face?
But he needs work on his nutshot defense:
Balls hurt, muscleboy?
Stand up like a man - if you still are one
You guys seem to always forget what is most important... MONEY. Would you work you job for less money than oh say the competitor when they have offered you a job doing the same thing?
Seriously, shut the fuck up.
Jesus! Setttle down.
trolls will say that yes
anyone with a clue wont
:)
White Whale, let me start by just admitting that I love you. Now that we got that out of the way, why would only "trolls" say that CroCop couldn't hang at the UFC's level? Let's remove all of the opinion and speculation and look at the facts... I have a couple that would surely indicate he couldn't. What are yours?
I'm not a huge CroCop fan, and I actually just think Kongo was a tough match-up for him and that he's still one of the best HW's in the world. I think he would beat Sylvia (which is the fight I want to see) and even though I'm a Nog hugger I would give CC the slight advantage in the rematch, ESPECIALLY in the cage. I also think he would beat Vera, but have trouble with Arlovski... ALL fights which I wanted to see.
"Even if the split with Dana and the UFC was amicable and that he may return "someday" (I'm hoping that's the case), I think he forever subjected himself to being viewed as unable to hang at the UFC's level.
Is anyone extremely surprised at this decision?"
I agree. I think that this is a bad move. CroCop may have lost his two UFC matches, but he's still a damn good fighter. Everyone loses at some point. I don't think that CroCop is finished is a fighter and I think that he's more than capable of redeeming himself in the UFC. If he leaves without redeeming himself that is going to make him look bad.
Good posts by Immaculata, MB and theshooter.
With much speculation swirling about him recently, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic was in attendance at the press conference where it was announced that he would now be fighting under the Dream banner. One official of the new promotion said that he was hopeful they would be able to have Filipovic fight on the March 15 event, but that they could not officially confirm it yet.
Addressing several question marks surrounding him, Filipovic stated that he is physically and mentally recovered from his recent disappointments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
He said that he didn't really like the experience of fighting the cage and prefers fighting in a ring. Filipovic did state, however, that he would like to eventually return to the UFC and avenge his losses to Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo.
Many rumors have swirled around Filipovic's recent absence from the UFC with fingers pointing in both directions, but sources close to the situation indicate that his leaving the UFC to return to fight in Japan was amicable.
As of the time of publication, the UFC has not made an official announcement in regards to Filipovic's contract status.
SP,
I would say that you expose yourself as not understanding the sport with that narrow-mindedness.
Crocop hung pretty well with the current UFC champion a few years ago. He has also hung pretty well with some of the best in the world.
To win consistently in today's world of MMA requires an individual to be completely ON and pull all their skills together at the right time... because frankly, any one at this level CAN beat anyone else at this level, given the right circumstances.
Crocop couldn't figure out how to be ON in his last two fights. And when you're not ON at this level, you're probably losing.
I would say that you expose yourself as not understanding the sport with that narrow-mindedness.
I would say you expose yourself as being unable to comprehend the written language we are speaking. If you read my post, it says that I think he subjected himself to being viewed as unable to hang in the UFC. First I gave an OPINION that most will look at it that way. Second, once again, let's remove all opinion and speculation and look at facts: he beat Sanchez, went to sleep against Gonzaga, and looked poor against Kongo. Further strengthening your lack of reading skills was your omission of my post about how I thought he was a top HW and would beat Sylvia and others.
"Crocop couldn't figure out how to be ON in his last two fights. And when you're not ON at this level, you're probably losing."
I agree, that's all I'm saying, in addition to him parting with his contract and immediately going back to Japan to sign elsewhere. I agree that all fighters lose, especially those fighting at such a high level, which Mirko did... but they don't always jump ship to a lesser org.
I don't blame the guy for not wanting to take a pay-cut (assuming he's equally compensated by DREAMS).
But it's undeniable that he will face easier competition (barring a rematch with Fedor). And whatever he did before, doesn't negate his lackluster performance in the UFC. He will be viewed as inferior to UFC fighters unless he comes back and redeems himself.
JimzGlove, those are the two fights I wanted to see the most as well.