‘Cro Cop’ learns to laugh
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic would not have made it as a standup comedian. His delivery is somewhat disjointed, his comic timing average at best.
Fortunately for Filipovic, he has been able to make a handsome living knocking people out in the Ultimate Fighting Championship instead of knocking them dead at a comedy club.
That hasn’t stopped the 36-year-old Croatian from trying out his material as he prepares for his main-event bout against Frank Mir at UFC 119 on Saturday in Indianapolis.
Filipovic is known as one of the most feared strikers in the history of mixed martial arts. The general consensus is that his skills have diminished, but there is little question he still is dangerous in the standup game, especially with his kicks.
But what if this fight goes to the floor and Filipovic must contend with Mir’s superior jiu-jitsu skills?
"If it touches the ground, I’ll tap right away," Filipovic quipped on a conference call.
He also was quick to joke when asked to predict the outcome: "How do I think the fight will go? As soon as the fight starts, I will run out into Frank’s double leg (takedown)."
The jocular attitude displayed by the former anti-terrorist police officer and former member of Croatian parliament is far from the stoic figure who began fighting in the UFC in 2007 after many years as one of the biggest stars in Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships.
It didn’t help lighten his mood when Filipovic lost two of his three fights upon his arrival in the United States.
Things have changed for Filipovic since then, which could help explain his shtick. After the skid, he left the UFC to return to Japan for three fights. He was lured back to the UFC in 2009 and has won three of four bouts in this stint, including two victories this year.
Filipovic began to come out of his shell around his last fight against Pat Barry in June. Barry, a loose, easygoing fighter, made no secret of his admiration for Filipovic, and their interaction produced humorous moments before and even during the fight. Barry’s attitude was almost contagious, and Filipovic seemed to enjoy the fight almost as much as Barry, especially after he won.
Perhaps that experience convinced Filipovic it was OK to loosen up, or maybe he is just starting to feel truly comfortable in America. It’s even possible UFC management told him it was time to lighten up.
Or, could it be Filipovic realizes the end of his career is near and he might as well enjoy the ride?
"This is a brutal sport. Any new injury especially since (I just turned 36) would definitely take me out of the competition," he said. "With so many fights on my back, it would be hard to start over again.”
He almost didn’t get to fight this week at all. Filipovic, a late replacement for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, was poked in the eye last week during his final sparring session in Europe. There were rumors he might have to pull out, but doctors gave him the go-ahead.
Still, Filipovic is being extra careful. About an hour into the conference call, he was eager to get off the phone, while Mir was being his usual talkative self.
"I hear you can get cancer from being on mobile phones too long," he said, "so I’d be grateful if Frank would talk faster."
He’ll be here all week, folks.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.