The MMA Digest

Photo Credit: www.mirko-crocop.com

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic has always bounced back from every defeat in the past with a win, but Saturday night he ran into a determined Cheick Kongo, who was able to impose his will on the Croatian heavyweight and win a unanimous decision. Many have now questioned where Filipovic goes from here, and the answer lies within Filipovic. He has the raw talent to work his way up to the top of the UFC ladder–with knockout power, great speed for a heavyweight, an excellent sprawl, an improving ground game and ability to take the fight to the ground, he has a lot of bases covered. At the same time, Cro Cop is still most effective on the feet striking, which leaves many areas for him to still hone and master. He definitely has had the right idea in bringing in ground specialists like Dean Lister to his gym, as well constructing a cage for UFC Octagon specific training.

Oftentimes with Cro Cop, it seems he’s accustomed to pushing people around, and is most effective in that domain. He shines brightest when it’s clear who’s pushing the pace. But when fighters come forward on him with fearlessness as Mark Hunt did, as Fedor Emelianenko did, and as Cheick Kongo did Saturday night in London, his gameplan appears to unravel and focus tends to wane. But other times, such as one year ago today, Cro Cop seems unstoppable—finishing off Wanderlei Silva with a headkick and lighting up Josh Barnett into submission. On that night one year ago it appeared as though Cro Cop would be able to beat any fighter in the world. That ability surely hasn’t been dried up within the span of 365 days. Thus it becomes a mental game on the road to redemption. He’s been knocked out brutally and had bad performances in the past, just not in succession. But that’s no reason why he can’t step back into the Octagon and get back to the same level he fought at just one year ago. Filipovic can surely get back to the same form…if he’s still up to it.