Latest Cro Cop Interview After Final Conflict....

[robbypark]

The following is Mirko's latest interview from Jutarnji List newspaper:

Interviewer: Are you very dissapointed?

Mirko: No, I'm not. I think I had a great fight.

I: What was the main reason of your defeat?

M: My lack of concetration gave Minotaur a chance to take me dow. I don't think I was in real danger while I was mounted, it was a mistake I tried to get outof it - I should've waited for the end of the round and take those punches. I went for the reversal and gave him my hand - that was enough for one of the world's greatest submission masters. He was a master of bjj before I even knew what that was. Against an opponent with that much skill, power and grip one mistake is crutial.

I: Do you accuse the referee for your loss

M: No, I don't accuse anyone, It's my own fault.

I: Could you get out of Nog's armbar?

M: At that moment, there wasn't a slightest chance of that. My hand started breaking already. If I didn't tap, with that kind of injury I would be out for a year. If he was choking me, I would have taken it as far as I could and risk uncounciousnes, but a broken bone is too serious.

I: When nog was on the ground you've asked him to get up every time. Couldn't you have done something else?

M: Maybe I could. But kicking an opponent on the ground brings the risk of injury.

I: Right after the fight you said you deserve a rematch.

M: I'm sure I'll get my chance very soon. The PRIDE officials were very satisfied with the fight and they made it obvious to me that a rematch is in order. Maybe even in February, there's a possibility I could fight Fedor first and than Nog.

I: Was Sundays fight your hardest so far?

M: Absolutely, cause the stakes were very high. I wanted that belt so bad. But after this loss, I'll come back even stronger and win the belt sooner or later. The failure just made me more angry. Next time I'll prepare even better and make some tactical changes. There is no doubt I'll will be the champ.

I: Was this kind of a loss worse, than for example, a judges decision?

M: I don't know, there's no point of disscussing it now. If I had just a few seconds more in the 1st, I would've knocked him out. I probaby needed only one more strike.

I: After a long time, you come back to Croatia defeated.

M: And now what?! Should I kill myself?! It makes it easier for me that people at least saw that I outstriked him.

I: After this, will you spend more time training grappling?

M: Before my next match with Nog, I'll travel with Mike Bencic to train with one of the best schools in the States. There, I can learn a whole lot from the real masters.

I: What would you want to improve most?

M: The thing that cost me the fight. Getting out of the mount. This was the only thing I wasn't good at even before the fight.

I: Won't your political career take time from your training?

M: You better skip those kind of questions.

I: What about your plans for the end of the year?

M: THey're offering me a fight at the K-1 finals, but not in the tournament. I guess they aren't selling too many tickets. But I'm sure I want to be in the INoki Bom Ba Ye in Kobe on the New Years Eve

I: How did you get that swelling on your left foot?

M: Nog hit me with his ribs!

[Mike]

Great comments by Mirco, he has his head screwed on straight and knows exactly what happened and what he needs to do about it. So pragmatic, just like his striking he cuts out the b.s. for what works. But, what of the cryptic comment about politics, is Mirco running for Mayor or something?

[robbypark]

He is in involved with politics somehow in Croatia. I don't know exactly what though.

[Iron Maiden]

Very respectable comments. He admitted defeat like a man. He wants a rematch that he will most likely get...and next time Nog will NOT beat him. I can almost gurantee that.

As you all saw...Mirko was killing Nog the entire time on his feet. As he said,he let (actually Nog took him down clean..but you get my point) Nog take him down.. and that of course is Nog's domain. He owns the ground. Mirko got caught there...he should have waited until the end of the round and then knocked him out in round three.

No biggie for CroCop though....he knows he was dominating that fight..and that something to feel good about...Nog just got a great armbar in there.

[robbypark]

Very respectable comments. He admitted defeat like a man. He wants a rematch that he will most likely get...and next time Nog will NOT beat him. I can almost gurantee that.


I completely agree. This loss will be good for Mirko and it will help him become an even better fighter. Given a rematch, Nog won't have a chance in hell of pulling off the victory.

This loss will also better prepare Mirko for a potential fight with Fedor. Had he just plowed straight through Minotauro, I don't think he would be as ready as he is now to take on Fedor.

[irishshamrock]

I give Nog full credit for what he did. What a great tactition.

[Shamrocked]

I: How did you get that swelling on your left foot?

M: Nog hit me with his ribs![/quote]

LOL! That's great. :lol:

[Force]

I have even more respect for Mirko now. The guy obviously has a lot of class. He made no excuses and wouldn't even let the interviewer make any for him. He gave credit to Nog and knew he was defeated fair and square. He didn't dwell on the fact that he almost had the KO in the first round. I know a lot of fighters out there would have complained to no end about how they were robbed and how they should have won at the end of the first round!! It is a breath of fresh air to hear a competitor talk like that.

[bero]

He also said that his fists are hurt too, that minotaur punched them very hard with his nose.