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[jesusatemyhotdog]

Source
http://www.jutarnji.hr/sport/borilac...c_ufc,56576.jl





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Q: How did the bosses of Pride react on the news?
A: I can only say, that i thank Pride for the understanding, cooperation and support, especially president N. Sakakibara and director N. Takada.

Q: Many of your fans aren't pleased with you leaving Pride?
A: I know that my parting to the UFC hit many, but I'm asking them for understanding in respecting my decision. I think it's the best for me in this phase of my career. I hope all of my fans will understand this and support me further.

Q: What was the reason for your decision?
A: The wish for a change, the wish for new challenges. Until know I went to Japan 42 times in my career, there I achieved a reputation and a name in sport, but the american octagon is still a big new thing (for me). But also the financial proposal of the UFC was better. The Japanese knew they could not come close to the american proposal, therefor they did not try it.

Q: Did you meet the UFC-bosses?
A: During my stay in Las Vegas I met Dana White.

Q: Aren't you dissapointed that you won't fight F. Emeljanenko anymore?
A: I must admit, that I regret not fighting Fjodor. If I would have been healthy and ready, maybe we would have faced each other at NYE. Still, I believe that the chance for a fight with Fjodor isn't lost forever. Maybe we will manage to meet each other in the ring if Pride and UFC cooperate.

Q: Whom do you appreciate most of the UFC fighters?
A: Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski are currently the best fighters in the HW division. In the lighter divisions I especially value Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell. If I would have to pick one in my opionion, that is the former UFC champion Arlovski.

Q: In the eyes of the most fans the UFC HW division is weaker then Pride's.
A: I know, that it was weaker until now, but I think the blood picture (sry, that's just the direct translation) is going to get better.

Q: Have you ever heard of Eddy Sanchez, your next opponent?
A: Until now, I have not. I know he is unbeaten in ultimate fighting, even though that doesn't necessarily mean that he is a world class fighter.

Q: Las Vegas is closer to Hollywood than Tokio?
A: At the moment I don't have time for movies, I go to the US to fight.

[strife]

Good post....the last question made zero sense though!

[jesusatemyhotdog]

He speaks english very well.

[AudieMurphy1]

"I go to US to fight"

didt dolf lungrand say that in rocky 4

[Dork8503]

i think in rocky 4 he said i come here to fight

[BIG FLO]

i thought cro cop came to the ufc cuz vegas is closer to hollywood

[Matt Boone]

Last sentence means he's closer to movie opportunities fighting in UFC (based out of Vegas) as opposed to being in Japan where he doesn't speak the countries' language.

CroCop speaks almost perfect english, although it's obvious when hearing him it's his second language. Even still, he's Anderson Silva scary (even more-so), at the most marketable division - Heavyweight, and can speak our language more than well enough to get over with casual fans.

[AudieMurphy1]

Originally Posted by dork8503

i think in rocky 4 he said i come here to fight

i said 4:grinsmile26: ....haha, atleast you knew what i ment

[baba]

I thought it was cool that he gave the most respect to Andrei Arlovski. I hope these two get a chance to train together. It could elevate both of their games immensely.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

Good, he will make an great Champion in the UFC, I know he is a very smart guy.

Does anyone know if he plans to move here permanently or just fly over for the fights i know he is a Goverment Official so i would assume he would stay there.

From Wikipedia
In November 2003, Filipoviæ ran as a non-party candidate on the Social Democratic Party list in parliamentary elections and attained a seat in the Croatian Parliament. He focused on questions regarding the funding of the police force. He soon withdrew from activity in politics. Filipoviæ later said on national television that he left politics because he didn't have any lobbying power so his efforts were pointless.