mmajunkie reports
After struggling against Alistair Overeem (28-11) at the Sept. 26 DREAM 6 event -- only to be saved by a no-contest after being struck with a fight-ending knee to the groin -- former PRIDE and UFC fighter Mirko "Cro Cop" (23-6-2) says the rematch is set for Dec. 31 in Japan.
Filipovic confirmed the rumored K-1 DYNAMITE!! 2008 bout with Croatian site dnevnik.hr.
Filipovic also confirmed that he'll enter the fight a knee injury and will undergo surgery soon after the event, which is scheduled to feature five MMA bouts and five K1 kickboxing matches.
The event takes place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
In their first meeting in September, Overeem connected with early knees from the clinch and easy takedowns. He then tagged Filipovic and caused a cut near his left eye, but it was checked and hw was cleared to continue.
In subsequent exchanges, though, Filipovic was caught with two knees to the groin. Overeem was issued a warning, and after the second, Overeem was issued his second yellow card of the fight.
During a lengthy recovery time, Filipovic's corner alerted Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten, who were calling the action for HDNet, that Filipovic's right testicle had been knocked up and inside his body. For a full 10 minutes, the fighter lay on the mat while grimacing in obviously agonizing pain. Eventually, the pain was too much, and the fight was ruled a no-contest.
"I'm sorry this great fight had to end this way," Overeem said after the fight. "It was a mistake to make early in the fight. I wanted to finish the fight with Cro Cop with a KO or submission in a fair way."
Since signing with the UFC in late 2006 and debuting with a first-round TKO of Eddie Sanchez in February 2007, Filipovic is 1-2 (with one no-contest), which included a knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga and a unanimous-decision defeat to Cheick Kongo. His lone victory was over little-known Tatsuya Mizuno (4-4) at DREAM 1 after Filipovic left the UFC.
Overeem, meanwhile, has rebounded from a three-fight losing streak in early 2007 with a 4-1 record (with one no-contest) in his past six fights. In November 2007, he defeated Paul Buentello with a second-round submission via strikes to win the first-ever Strikeforce world heavyweight championship.
Card already has Gesias "JZ" Calvancante vs. Joachim Hansen
any other fights announced? I looked at the junkie's rumors and they only have this and the Gesias "JZ" Calvancante vs. Joachim Hansen fight.
Cro Cop didnt look good at all vs Overeem in the first fight, imo. Take away the groin shots he still looked pretty shot. I think Overeem takes this one easily.
ttt
Crocop really did not look like himself last time. Hopefully he found the old self this time around
Is this going to be under MMA or K-1 rules?
Dynamite also features K-1 fights. Both K-1 & MMA.
I saw where Cro Cop is saying he is taking this fight but having knee surgery right after the fight?!
If true isn't that a built in excuse if he loses?
Cro Cop I hate to say it has been a shell of his former self since the Gonzaga fight; my hope is that he will recapture past glory but something tells me he is shot insofar as still being an elite fighter is concerned.
Overeem should run roughshod over Cro Cop, much like Mirko did to his opponents while winning the Pride OWGP back in the day.
BTW wouldn't it be cool if they brought Alvarez along with Nick Diaz and made that fight in Japan?
Just make it a K-1 match so CroCop can save his nuts and have a decent shot.
Awesome! Crocop better turn it up in the rematch or people will really jump off his bandwagon for good.
Cro Cop had this to say in an interview about the rematch:
Well next him he'll be well advised not to go near my groin. If he does it again, I'll give him a taste of his own medicine. And I'll do it deliberately without holding back.
I'd like to see how Overeem handles a full power knee smash to his balls. Fighters should be able to hit each other there and should be expected to protect themselves properly.
Hurts a little, huh?
CroFlop washed out in the UFC - and after this fight he'll drop to 205 where he belongs.
The only question being - at 205 with what organization?
i cant remember a fighter admitting he has an injury before he goes into the fight.
That can't be true.
AnthonyBrancato - CroFlop washed out in the UFC - and after this fight he'll drop to 205 where he belongs.
The only question being - at 205 with what organization?
he'll never drop to 205 and doesn't need to. he hasn't fought well in quite a while and a drop in weight class wouldn't solve that problem.
if he loses he'll probably retire soon after.