‘Cro Cop’ shows flair as MMA career fades

If Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic walks away from mixed martial arts tonight after UFC 137, it won't be because he's starting a lounge act with fellow heavyweight Pat Barry.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship training partners could probably stage an entertaining show worthy of any Strip property.

Filipovic surfaced last week in a hilarious video, showing him behind the wheel of his car singing "California Dreamin' " with Barry in the passenger seat. The video confounded the public perception of Filipovic as a stoic, no-nonsense, former anti-terrorism officer.

"I have always been like this," he said. "I'm a guy who likes to have fun and I like everything normal people like, but I am always quoted before the fight when I'm jet-lagged and focused. In everyday life, I am different."

In recent fights, Filipovic has let a little more of his personality show. As he prepares to take on Las Vegan Roy Nelson tonight at Mandalay Bay Events Center in what Filipovic acknowledges could be his final fight, he says the only difference is age.

"What does this mean, new Cro Cop? If you are asking me if I plan a singing career, no. I wish you could see a new Cro Cop, 15 years younger. I wish it was possible," Filipovic said. "Unfortunately, no, I'm 37 and this could easily be my last fight, regardless of the result, but especially if I lose."

Losing is something he has done far too much of lately. The former Pride Fighting Championships superstar, who once coined the phrase "Right foot hospital, left foot cemetery" to describe his kicks, has lost three of his past five bouts.

He says the biggest reason for his struggles was mental.

"I didn't forget how to punch or kick," he said.

Nelson pointed to one key factor that changed in Filipovic's recent fights.

"Cro Cop is still the same guy he was four or five years ago. He just doesn't have that aura around him where it's like, 'Oh my gosh, he's going to kill me,' " Nelson said.

"The one thing Cro Cop has done is lose, and that's where his mystique is lost, not because he's singing."

Filipovic laments his lack of UFC success and said it will be his one regret if his career ends tonight. He has much more pressing issues back home in Croatia, however.

"I need to raise my kids. It takes a lot of time and a lot of energy to raise kids and make men of them these days. I don't want them to be lazy and just spend their father's money," he said.

"My oldest son (Ivan) will be 9 soon. He's training wrestling now, and I'm helping him with his schoolwork and we talk a lot. I'm teaching him how to play chess. The younger one (Filip) is just 1, but he is going to need a father, too."

Those full-time parenting duties could be put on hold with a victory, but Filipovic said the result won't necessarily determine whether he walks away from the sport.

In tonight's main event, a welterweight title shot is on the line for Nick Diaz when he meets BJ Penn. The controversial former Strikeforce champion is back in the headlining spot after a series of twists and turns, including an injury to Georges St. Pierre.

"It's been one of the weirdest cards I've ever dealt with," UFC president Dana White said.

With all the drama behind him, Diaz is ready to focus on the task at hand.

"People want to see good fights. They want to see a good fighter, and that's what I'm trying to bring to the table," he said.

The main card, which airs live on pay per view at 6 p.m., also features a heavyweight bout between Matt Mitrione and Cheick Kongo.

Two live preliminary bouts will air live on Spike (Cable 29) at 5. The remainder of the undercard will stream live on Facebook, beginning with the first bout at 3.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.