wrestler_nl
05-11-2009, 21:24
Report: Mirko Cro Cop vs Ben Rothwell being considered for UFC 111 (http://mmamania.com/2009/11/05/report-mirko-cro-cop-vs-ben-rothwell-being-considered-for-ufc-111/)
http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/filipovic-rothwell.jpg
Famed heavyweight striker Mirko Filipovic (25-7-2) is reportedly considering a return to the Octagon to face fellow MMA transplant Ben Rothwell (30-7) at UFC 111, tentatively scheduled for the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 21 according to Sherdog.com.
“Cro Cop” threw in the towel in his submission (verbal) loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 103: “Franklin vs. Belfort” from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19. He was beaten to the punch, and pretty much beat up, in what essentially turned out to be a striking match for two-plus rounds.
The Croatian waved off the Brazilian in the third after eating a brutal knee to the face that wiped out his vision. It marked his third loss inside the Octagon in five attempts — a far cry from the world beater who was scalping his opponents just three years ago under the Pride banner. In fact, he has not defeated a top-level fighter since he made Josh Barnett quit at “Final Conflict Absolute,” which earned him the Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix Championship.
According to Filipovic, he’s battled depression and other psychiatric issues since the September loss and spoke of his inability to break a “mental block” that’s prevented him from returning to his old self.
It’s not unreasonable to think a knockout win over Rothwell could do more in one night than two years of ongoing therapy.
http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/filipovic-rothwell.jpg
Famed heavyweight striker Mirko Filipovic (25-7-2) is reportedly considering a return to the Octagon to face fellow MMA transplant Ben Rothwell (30-7) at UFC 111, tentatively scheduled for the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 21 according to Sherdog.com.
“Cro Cop” threw in the towel in his submission (verbal) loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 103: “Franklin vs. Belfort” from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19. He was beaten to the punch, and pretty much beat up, in what essentially turned out to be a striking match for two-plus rounds.
The Croatian waved off the Brazilian in the third after eating a brutal knee to the face that wiped out his vision. It marked his third loss inside the Octagon in five attempts — a far cry from the world beater who was scalping his opponents just three years ago under the Pride banner. In fact, he has not defeated a top-level fighter since he made Josh Barnett quit at “Final Conflict Absolute,” which earned him the Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix Championship.
According to Filipovic, he’s battled depression and other psychiatric issues since the September loss and spoke of his inability to break a “mental block” that’s prevented him from returning to his old self.
It’s not unreasonable to think a knockout win over Rothwell could do more in one night than two years of ongoing therapy.