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UFC 119 Main Event Breakdown: Frank Mir vs. Mirko Cro Cop -- MMA Fighting

UFC 119 Main Event Breakdown: Frank Mir vs. Mirko Cro Cop

9/24/2010 10:00 AM ET By Mike Chiappetta
Mike Chiappetta
MMA Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- Just two weeks past his 36th birthday, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic is steaming towards a career crossroads. At one time probably the most devastating striker among the MMA world's heavyweights, Cro Cop no longer engenders fear from those who face him. He stalled out in his first UFC run in 2007, and the current one has had its ups and downs.

His UFC 119 main event matchup with Frank Mir could prove his last chance for a last run as an elite world heavyweight. While the Croatian is still dangerous and worthy of respect for his storied history, it must also be noted that he has not defeated a world-ranked heavyweight since the night that was the defining moment of his career. Just over four years ago, Cro Cop knocked out Wanderlei Silva and battered Josh Barnett into submission on the same night to become the PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix champion.

Since that night in Saitama, Japan, his career has never reached the same heights. Though he holds a respectable 6-3-1 record since, he's never threatened at making a run for the UFC championship, something that seemed like a lock when he made his organizational debut in Feb. 2007.

Perhaps Cro Cop (27-7-2) knows that his time may be running short, because when Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira withdrew from the UFC 119 main event, Cro Cop dove headfirst into the role, accepting immediately.

As measuring sticks go, Mir (13-5) is a perfect foe for Cro Cop. At 31 years old, Mir is still near his prime and a former champion, so no one is likely to dismiss his credentials as a credible opponent. Now it's simply up to Cro Cop to prove that he can overcome younger, bigger heavyweights.

He'll try to do it the same way he always has. Since he first put on MMA gloves, Cro Cop has preferred to keep fights in the standup position, where his boxing and kickboxing backgrounds have nearly always given him a strong advantage. While once he was downright terrifying with his kicks ("right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery," was his saying), it's a weapon he has holstered more and more over the last few years.

According to Compustrike, over Cro Cop's last 10 fights, he's averaged only eight leg strike attempts per fight (and keep in mind that factors in both kicks and knees). That change has made him a bit more one-dimensional than he once was, and therefore easier to address.


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Cro Cop's no fish out of water on the ground -- he's only tapped out once in his career -- but against someone as analytical as Mir, Cro Cop's straight forward approach might lead to trouble. Add to that, the fact that he has appeared a bit gunshy at times over his last few fights, and it becomes obvious why Mir is nearly a 3-to-1 favorite by some oddsmakers.

At this point of his career, Mir is a more well-rounded fighter than Cro Cop. His jiu-jitsu is still, of course, excellent, and his wrestling is passable. The biggest improvements, though, have come in his striking game. A few years ago, his punches were hardly a threat to be considered, but as he proved with his KO of the iron-chinned Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, along with a powerful knockdown of Cheick Kongo, that's no longer the case. Mir is much lighter on his feet than he used to be, and he hits a lot harder.

Still, it will be interesting to see if he chooses to test his standup skills with a guy who competed in over 20 K-1 kickboxing bouts, or emphasizes his clear advantage by trying to drag it to the ground. Let's not assume it will get there, though. Cro Cop has very underrated wrestling defense, as evidenced by the fact that his last 10 opponents have only completed five of their 22 takedown tries against him.

Because of Cro Cop's pedigree, conventional wisdom would say that Cro Cop has the edge in the striking department. I would say it's not a clear-cut case. In his last few fights, Cro Cop has been slow to fire and does not use his best weapons as much as he used to. That combination is a dangerous game. He may be able to get away with it against mid-tier fighters like Mostapha Al-Turk and Anthony Perosh, but Mir will likely find a way to exploit those holes.

There is one X-factor at play that really hasn't been mentioned in the leadup to this fight, and that's Mir's gas tank. Mir was self-aware enough to know it was an issue, and has often admitted it. He's told us that the problem's been addressed over the last couple of years. But he hasn't been put in a position where he's had to fight into the third round in over four years. He hasn't even had to go to the midway point of a fight in that time. In fact, the average time of his last seven fights is just three minutes, 17 seconds.

Cro Cop has always been nothing if not an extremely durable fighter. He's never been easy to finish, and even if you think he's not what he once was, he's still incredibly difficult to put away. Just ask Pat Barry, who had him in major trouble in their June bout, only to see Cro Cop turn the tide in the third when Barry tired out. Could history repeat itself with Mir on Saturday? We have to account for the possibility that late-round stamina becomes a factor.

Most likely, though, Mir is going to figure Cro Cop out. Unless the Croatian great can turn back the clock and recall a performance out of his brilliant past, he no longer shows the dimensions that will give top-level heavyweights fits. Cro Cop's going to have to dust off that left high kick, and fire his guns at will, and that's not something he's been anxious to do lately.

The result of this fight doesn't seem too hard to figure out on paper, but fighters who've reached the heights of greatness like Cro Cop often have a few final moments of fleeting glory before they hang it up for good. It might well come Saturday, but all the current evidence points to the opposite corner. Frank Mir via second-round submission.

[Chute_Boxe44]

Would have to agree with this article 100%. It pretty much sums up exactly how I view the fight going.

[PBJihad]

Maybe I'm in the vast minority here, as it seems everyone is going with Mir in this fight, but I see Cro Cop pulling this one out, so long as he decides to throw. I think his victory over Berry has brought some confidence back (which I think he had been lacking his last few fights).
I'm going to predict a 2nd Round TKO victory for Cro Cop.

[Black]

My heart go for CC and brain for Mir and I always follow my heart , so CC by KO Round 1 LHK

[b1uef1ow]

Originally Posted by PBJihad

Maybe I'm in the vast minority here, as it seems everyone is going with Mir in this fight, but I see Cro Cop pulling this one out, so long as he decides to throw. I think his victory over Berry has brought some confidence back (which I think he had been lacking his last few fights).
I'm going to predict a 2nd Round TKO victory for Cro Cop.

Originally Posted by Black

My heart go for CC and brain for Mir and I always follow my heart , so CC by KO Round 1 LHK

I think Mirko has been damaged goods since his fight with Gonzaga. Before Gonzaga we had a Mirko who was motivated and confident. There was a time when Mirko could stuff most any heavy weight's take down, but I feel since after the Gonzaga fight and fucking up his leg it's sorta taken away from his entire game...

I mean age is a factor too but when you see this.



I know he's said it wasn't all that injured but I honestly believe Mirko fucked up some ligaments and is just toughing it out.

I'm taking Mir by TKO but if Mirko isn't affraid to attempt a Blitzkrieg type of attack he might pull it off.

[kickass32]

Originally Posted by PBJihad

Maybe I'm in the vast minority here, as it seems everyone is going with Mir in this fight, but I see Cro Cop pulling this one out, so long as he decides to throw. I think his victory over Berry has brought some confidence back (which I think he had been lacking his last few fights).
I'm going to predict a 2nd Round TKO victory for Cro Cop.

Problem with this is Barry was totally dominating CroCop in that first round until Barry broke his hand and foot, and was foolish enough to TELL Mirko about it. If Barry hadn't of broke his hand, CroCop was going out.

I got Mir 1st rd RNC

[lordpyro]

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS FIGHT!!!!!

While i strongly dislike Frank Mir, I won't be the one to talk bad about it him. Everyone knows he has sick jits and decent standup.

However, Mir is losing this one. Cro Cop will stay on the outside and fire off lazy punches for three rounds, stuffing take downs all the while. Then when Mir gasses in the third, Cro Cop will either finish the fight or it'll go to a decision that Mirko will win.

However, I hope Cro Cop comes out a decimates Mir.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

My Main Event Breakdown:

Right Leg: Hospital, Left Leg: Cemetery.

The End.

[Lint the Destroyer]

I'm kinda glad that I won't be able to watch this one. Cro Cop is my favorite fighter, ever, and I probably wouldn't have gotten into MMA if it wasn't for Cro Cop. I honestly think Cro Cop wins this, but I get too anxious/nervous. With this possibly being his last fight, my heart would explode. I HATE that I'm going to miss it, but it's probably better for my health. I always have, and always will, believe in Mirko Cro Cop.

[grazer4]

As much as I'd love to see Mir lose again, after seeing this pic of Crocop's eye, I'll hafta say Mir takes this one. It's such an easy target...