Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei 3 set for Rizin FF Grand Prix quarterfinals

Will the third time be the charm for Wanderlei Silva? The PRIDE legend will face Mirko Cro Cop in the quarterfinals of the Rizin FF Openweight Grand Prix.

Mirko Cro Cop came away victorious in the opening round of the Rizin Openweight Grand Prix tournament, and that’s set up a showdown with Wanderlei Silva. The promotion announced during Sunday’s Rizin FF show that the two PRIDE legends will clash one more time, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

The 42-year-old Cro Cop choked out Hyun Man Myung at the Saitama Super Arena, marking the feared knockout specialist’s first win by submission since he armbarred Shinichi Suzukawa in 2012, in what was his first fight after he’d announced his retirement in October 2011. The Croatian had also retired in late 2015 after he’d faced a two-year USADA suspension, while under UFC contract, after admitting he’d use HGH. Cro Cop’s UFC contract was terminated in July, which freed him up to sign with Rizin.

Silva’s last fight was in 2013, when he KO’d Brian Stann in a UFC on Fuel TV main event in Japan. Wanderlei, who is signed to a contract with Bellator MMA, is suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission until May 2017 due to his infamous evading of a random drug test for a UFC bout vs. Chael Sonnen. That doesn’t prevent him from fighting in Japan, however, which is why Wanderlei is able to participate in this tournament.

These two last met in 2006, with Cro Cop destroying Wanderlei with a head kick in the PRIDE Heavyweight GP semifinal. They fought to a draw at Pride 20 in April 2002. Will the third time be a success for Silva? Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 29th and you’ll soon find out.

Will the third time be the charm for Wanderlei Silva? The PRIDE legend will face Mirko Cro Cop in the quarterfinals of the Rizin FF Openweight Grand Prix.

Mirko Cro Cop came away victorious in the opening round of the Rizin Openweight Grand Prix tournament, and that’s set up a showdown with Wanderlei Silva. The promotion announced during Sunday’s Rizin FF show that the two PRIDE legends will clash one more time, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

The 42-year-old Cro Cop choked out Hyun Man Myung at the Saitama Super Arena, marking the feared knockout specialist’s first win by submission since he armbarred Shinichi Suzukawa in 2012, in what was his first fight after he’d announced his retirement in October 2011. The Croatian had also retired in late 2015 after he’d faced a two-year USADA suspension, while under UFC contract, after admitting he’d use HGH. Cro Cop’s UFC contract was terminated in July, which freed him up to sign with Rizin.

Silva’s last fight was in 2013, when he KO’d Brian Stann in a UFC on Fuel TV main event in Japan. Wanderlei, who is signed to a contract with Bellator MMA, is suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission until May 2017 due to his infamous evading of a random drug test for a UFC bout vs. Chael Sonnen. That doesn’t prevent him from fighting in Japan, however, which is why Wanderlei is able to participate in this tournament.

These two last met in 2006, with Cro Cop destroying Wanderlei with a head kick in the PRIDE Heavyweight GP semifinal. They fought to a draw at Pride 20 in April 2002. Will the third time be a success for Silva? Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 29th and you’ll soon find out.