Bulletin for April 9th
MMA
Just don't ask me anything about Minowa
Mirko Cro Cop Filipović gave an huge interview for today (Sunday April 9th) edition of croatian papers «Sportske Novosti», the article is titled «I'll celebrate winning of the GP belt on my birthday»
Here is the translation of the intreview, but I must say that journalist who interviewed Mirko usually used a number of philosphycal and metaphorical terms, so I had to changed them but I translated Mirko's answers exactly.
About his physical condition?
- What can I say – to have problems here or to feel the pain there – so my opponent could use this informations and hit me right on the spot – No way - I feel fine, I'm 100% fit and ready.
How do you prepare for the fight?
- I'm working on my own program, I watched my opponents previous fights, and I was speciall focused on his last fight – every fighter is different, with a different style and fighting habits – I'm studying all this plus I'm picking my sparring partners to be as close to my opponent as possible.
Who is in charge for all the arrangements in Cro Cop Team?
- Zvonimir Lučić Cuki is in charge for the logistic, but I negotiate my fights and contracts, after all my head is on plate here.
What this Pride FC OWGP means to Cro Cop?
- I'll put all of me to win the GP belt. Too bad that Fedor won't participate. In my opinion Pride GP belt is harder to win than regular Pride belt, cause of tournament system, you must beat 4 top fighters in a row, last 2 in the same night. I can't imagine anything more demanding than this.
Weight divisions are merged into one here, how do you feel about that?
- It's basic principle of MMA: go to the ring and show how good you are. Someone is bigger, someone is smaller, but history showed us that size isn't the determing factor always, there are others virtues that matters like quickness, skills, technique... that's the magic of our sport
Like Minowa who's 175cm/83kg and still managed to beat Giant Silva who's 218cm/175kg in his last fight. Mirko you're in 32year of your life, how long we'll be watching you in the ring fighting?
- It's more mental stuff than anything. Fights could last just a few seconds or minutes but trainings and preparations are taking your time and energy the most. Coleman is a hard opponent in his 42, but optimal time for retirement is around 35, maybe body will be ready for more – but mentally I'm not so sure.
Ages ago you said that you'll hang yourself on the hightest pillar in your hometown Vinkovci if you fail to become the champion, what do you think now?
- I must admit last year I was pretty much out of focus, all of us got our ups & downs in life. I sincirely believe that I can win the belt this year, I think that all the jinxes are behind me now. But you also need a bit of luck in MMA, like Fedor had against Fujita or against Randleman. I'm focused on my goal and it's time for me to have some luck too. Grand finale of this year is on 10th of September – exactly on my birthday - symbolic or not....
You had 2 opportunites to take the title belt so far?
- Easy come – easy go, I wanna erase this from my memory, life goes on
Is it possible your cooperation with Ante Kostelić (ski-trainer and specialist for physical preparation of athletes, trainer and father of Janica Kostelić – the greatest world female skier)?
- I'd like to colaborate with him, but it looks impossible to set up our schedules.
Do you feel a fear when you entering the ring?
- No fear, maybe I'm more nervous than usually, but real fighters aren't afraid of getting hurt or beating. Defeat hurts more than anything. When I'm entering the ring I'm focused only on the fight, no matter of 6 or 60.000 people present in the hall
Is it true that one fighter should hate another?
- Nonsense, Why should I hate him? I have no emotions at all, ok I'd like to see him going down asap – but no hattery. We don't love each other – but also we certainly don't hate each other. All the fightes are normal people, sportsmen, athletes, but business is business.
How does you son Ivan looks on his daddy being in the ring?
- Like a game, he just a small kid, he's 3yrs old. He saws me on the TV and says «Daddy is boxing again», it's entertainment for him.
You've never asked for any kind of support from our (croatian) institutions, donations etc?
- I never asked anything and I won't in future. I provided enough: My blood - my money, there is a lot of people in Croatia who need the support more than me.
(Now in interview Mirko and the journalist are debating about our croatian domestic political problems – so I'm skipping that part.... as I'll skip journalist moronic question about Mirko fighting Lennox Lewis or Mike Tyson under MMA rules)
Where will be Mirko once when he finishes his fighting career?
- I'd like to open a really great fighting center – best in Europe, with a number of gyms, fitness, weight-lifting. all for the athletes. It's gonna be a huge investment – we'll see if I'll be able to go thru with it. I'll be focused on working with young athletes, cause there are a lot of talents in Croatia.
Pride FC is spreading – there will be a gigantic event in LA in October, and in Japan – they have utmost respect for you, but in Croatia your chances to become the athlete of the year are minimal?
- Yes, cause MMA is not accepted in sport and media establishment in Croatia, still I know that half of our country can't wait to watch my next fight on TV. And about LA – I believe that I'll be there with my OWGP belt, of course.
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K-1 - KICKBOXING - MUAY THAI
Bad night for Croatian fighters
Croatian kickboxing prospect Frane Radnić lost of Faldir Chabari via judge decision. The fight was part of the Beast of the East tournament held last night in Hanzehal, Zutphen (Netherlands), other results you can find here
Russian fighter Evgeny Orlov beat croatian Domagoj Ostojić via 3rd TKO due Ostojić's eye injury, this fight was a part of great M-1 event in Sankt Petersburg (Russia)
In Paris on SUPERFIGHTS IV croatian fighter Goran Borović lost of Yassine Benhadj by judge decision, fight was under muay-thai rules.
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