Mirko Crocop retierment?

[yannick35]

I have a very hard time understanding what happened to this killing machine, from is 2006 Pride OPGP win to fighting in the UFC.

Is last fight where really quite bizard, is fight against Frank Mir was more of a sparring match and is lost last night at UFC 128 pertty much settled is fighting career.

At leat that is what Dana White said. Now that zuffa bought strikeforce, the only place left for Crocop would be Dream in Japan.

Either the fighters figured him out, or he just lost of killer instinct?

It is very sad to see another great legend fall down same as Fedor. But at least Crocop went to UFC to face is challenge, not line Fedor who went to strikeforce thinking is oponents would be easier.

[F4iGuy]

I believe being hit hard enough long enough, in addition to being KO'd, negatively effects a fighters reaction time. I'm not sure if this is true but I recall reading it somewhere... makes sense though. He's taken some heavy hits over the years. Shame he was on of my favorites. Those legs destroyed people.

[yannick35]

Brendan Schaub gave him a fight, for sure. What i noticed in the fight is that Crocop tried is legendary head kick but man he paid for it everytime. Schaub took him down easy also, and man did he had some sick takedows. Still it really sucks to see Crocop like this. I guess that this new generation of MMA fighters are catching on quick, doing there homework before a fight and studing there opponents very well.

[terraj]

He should go now. I don't think he was ever the same after the Fedor fight.

I'm glad I saw him fight live in the Pride days, he was awesome back then.

[Kawigirl]

There's a lot that should have retired some time ago....past there last fights. Like Liddell....but...sometimes the pride of ones self is hard to let go. And, like all of us....no one wants to admit when that time should come.

Cro is one of my fav's.

[Hunter]

strikers have a shorter life expectancy then a grappler. You combine that with his advancing age and the fact that his game relied heavily on reflexes which we all know slow as one ages. I feel bad because he is the best heavyweight to never win a championship (not counting the open weigh gp). Also he never adjusted to the cage well and as a striker taking away soccor kicks affected him as well.

Its a shame zuffa didn't aquire pride earlier in a way to see some of these cross promotion fights when they were still on top.

[Knockout_Power]

these kids coming up are so hungry and way more talented. Its incredible how well enducated they are in a cage for so few years. Those flashy knockouts we used to see in Pride came a lot from the fact that guys would stand in front of each other trying to knock each other out. These new age fighters are waiting for you to attempt a strike and they turn you inside out.

[Hunter]

these kids coming up are so hungry and way more talented. Its incredible how well enducated they are in a cage for so few years. Those flashy knockouts we used to see in Pride came a lot from the fact that guys would stand in front of each other trying to knock each other out. These new age fighters are waiting for you to attempt a strike and they turn you inside out.

i gotta disagree, with the pride comment. Mirko had flashy knockouts cause he is a k1 level striker and was in his prime. Chutebox had so many flashy knockouts because chutebox styled excelled in the ring esp with pride rules. Ufc had just as many flashy knockouts cause nobody could figure out chucks style for awhile and franklin was fighting cans(besides tanner). I think we are seeing these legends knocked out so frequently because they are passed there prime. I am not referring to shogun he was simply outclassed.

Nog well by no means a knockout artist and not overly old has a ton of milage on him. The wars and amount of abuse he has taken is the reason he isn't the fighter we all remember.

just my two cents.

[yannick35]

I dont feel they lost there edge its the young guys that are getting better. Mirko last fight he did what he does best, he looked great, but like Fedor he got figured out. Fedor did not lose is edge, he is still very fast on is feet, and he did everything right against Big Foot Silva, but Silva was just too much for him.

This is where we can see the evoluation of MMA. Even Liddell against Franklin, he look great, he gave one hell of a good fight even broke Franklin arm but he got KO. I do beleive that getting KO to often at this high level of competition is not very good either.

[BgMc31]

i gotta disagree, with the pride comment. Mirko had flashy knockouts cause he is a k1 level striker and was in his prime. Chutebox had so many flashy knockouts because chutebox styled excelled in the ring esp with pride rules. Ufc had just as many flashy knockouts cause nobody could figure out chucks style for awhile and franklin was fighting cans(besides tanner). I think we are seeing these legends knocked out so frequently because they are passed there prime. I am not referring to shogun he was simply outclassed.

Nog well by no means a knockout artist and not overly old has a ton of milage on him. The wars and amount of abuse he has taken is the reason he isn't the fighter we all remember.

just my two cents.

^^^this guy must have a little cage experience or something... As usual MN, you hit the nail on the head on this! Great post!

[Hunter]

Also japan doesn't have mma fighters with the wrestling chops the united states has. Also pride judges didn't put as much focus on top control as the judging state side does and many of the pride/japanese fighters have had a hard time adjusting to it

[Knockout_Power]

^^^this guy must have a little cage experience or something... As usual MN, you hit the nail on the head on this! Great post!

Mac, come one man, did you intentionally say that knowing I would read it? You do know I have been in the ring in many combatative sports right?

[Far from massive]

I agree with most of what has been posted, most of these fighters mentioned have passed their prime and in addition as far as things like CroCops kicks or Chucks puches everyone has seen all the variations enough to know what to expect and how to counter it.

While the huge pool of well qualified fighters coming up the ropes these days as well as the number of top grade camps available for training in a variety of disiplines ensures that we will have a huge number of young fast fully rounded fighters, sadly it also ensures that the kind of name brand fighters of the old days are a thing of the past.

What I mean by this is that standouts who will have long careers and great fan followings are going to be pretty rare and that is really a shame as it affects marketablity of a sport in a big way. Of course I am 50+ so I am from the old school, maybe the multitasking youth that makes up the fan base these days will be able to enjoy the dynamic environment of 1-2 year reigns of the current day champions?

[BgMc31]

Mac, come one man, did you intentionally say that knowing I would read it? You do know I have been in the ring in many combatative sports right?

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I know you got experience KP! But I agree with MN on this issue so I'm siding with him!!! LOL!! But you know I got nuthin but love for ya, brotha!!!

[Hunter]

Mac, come one man, did you intentionally say that knowing I would read it? You do know I have been in the ring in many combatative sports right?

I believe we both do lol but if I am not mistaken its in different sports and at different levels ( I am not saying I competed at a higher level then you but I recall us having a convo like this when you first joined)

[Knockout_Power]

oh yah, Im by no means anywhere near pro... and just an old fart now

[cro]

i think what it all boils down to in mma is you better be well versed in many styles. deffinetely WRESTLING, the best base . you cant just get by with your legs like mirco....

[yannick35]

He is not retiring he will fight again says Dana White http://mmaweekly.com/cro-cop-will-no...ll-fight-again

[BgMc31]

MMA's version of Roy Jones, Jr...SAD!!!

[cro]

way to much talented competition out there.Times are changing

these kids coming up are so hungry and way more talented. Its incredible how well enducated they are in a cage for so few years. Those flashy knockouts we used to see in Pride came a lot from the fact that guys would stand in front of each other trying to knock each other out. These new age fighters are waiting for you to attempt a strike and they turn you inside out.

[AbusedYam]

Dana said he gets one more fight in the UFC

[Floydian]

I think it's time to leave.. he's so......