Over the last couple of days we’ve been trying to determine Mirko “Cro Cop’s” thought process, in agreeing to fight Frank Mir on short notice, September 25th, at UFC 119. If you listen very carefully…you can still hear the disappointed cries of hardcore “Minotauro” Nogueira fans; sh-t’s rough. As we’ve said since the news of Nog’s unfortunate injury was announced, we’re happy Cro Cop has agreed to step up, but it was kind of surprising considering he was supposedly thinking about hanging them up.
Well, in a report today from MMA Bay, we’re getting some possible insights into Cro Cop’s decision. Now we have a hard time translating U.K. English into American English, much less any other language, so we’ll have to take MMA Bay’s ‘word’ on the following comments. According to a report from Index.hr, here is some of what the Croatian bomber had to say about his upcoming bout with Mir.
“It is certain that I will not be able to go full force. I was left with only five weeks to prepare. I would not agree to the madness of this fight if Lorenzo Fertitta didn’t beg me to step in. They were in a difficult situation because Minotauro could not fight, and this is my way to repay [the UFC].”…”This all, of course, does not mean that I am looking for an excuse, but I certainly will not be ready. However, it still means I can lay out Frank Mir in the first round.”
There’s some ‘straight shooting’ for you (Mirko was a Special Forces officer after all). The short notice is something to consider though if you’re considering betting. Should be interesting.