After leaving the UFC with back to back losses in September of 2007, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic decided to test international waters by fighting in other fight promotions including DREAM and K-1. Cro Cop defeated two of three opponents in these organizations and eventually spoke with UFC President Dana White in regards to a possible octagon return.
The Croatian fighter made a statement in his huge comeback, defeating Mostapha Al-Turk via TKO (strikes) at UFC 99. Just when he decided to make a run for the UFC heavyweight title, he was stopped by the heavy handed Junior Dos Santos at UFC 103.
From Cro Cop:
“I was very, very disturbed after the loss to Dos Santos. I was in such a state that I wished to hang myself in my hotel room so I would be gone. Three losses in my last seven fights is nothing but a disaster to me. That’s a terrible score and I’m not happy about it. I already know some things that I did wrong both in the fight and in the preparation for the fight, but there are many questions that remain to be answered. I am seriously thinking about hiring a psychiatrist to help me out. I have already made some calls about it … I will make some changes in my training, because I wish to fight twice more in the UFC. I am a fighter, and I will find the motivation and strength I need … If someone offered me millions of dollars to quit my career right now I would not accept it. [Fighting] is my life and I don’t know any other way to live.”
