UFC Confirms Mirko “Cro Cop” vs. Frank Mir for UFC 119

Yesterday we passed along news that Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira would reportedly not fight Frank Mir as scheduled September 25th, due to a rib injury, and that Mirko “Cro Cop” had agreed to step in as Nog’s replacement. Injuries happen, so that’s not too surprising, but we probably weren’t the only ones who had their eyebrows […]

cro cop

Yesterday we passed along news that Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira would reportedly not fight Frank Mir as scheduled September 25th, due to a rib injury, and that Mirko “Cro Cop” had agreed to step in as Nog’s replacement. Injuries happen, so that’s not too surprising, but we probably weren’t the only ones who had their eyebrows rise upon reading “Cro Cop” was taking the fight. Could it be that “Cro Cop” had reconsidered previous statements he made about getting “too old” for all this ultimate fighting stuff? (Or just as probable—that those comments were taken out of context or inaccurate?)

Well, apparently we kicked into ‘over thinking’ mode way too early on this one (which isn’t a habit here as any regular reader knows), as the UFC has confirmed today that “Cro Cop” will in fact face Mir at UFC 119 in Indianapolis. If you’re a big time Nog fan, and were hoping for some redemption in the rematch with Mir, sorry about your loss. There’s lots riding on “Cro Cop” vs. Mir as well though; should be sweet.

If you’re having trouble keeping track of the bazillion cards being promoted these days (not that we’re complaining), UFC will also feature Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Ryan Bader, Chris Lytle vs. Matt Serra II, Evan Dunham vs. Sean Sherk and Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stephens on the main card. To bet on any of the upcoming cards head here.

Report: Mirko “Cro Cop” to Replace Injured “Minotauro” Nogueira vs. Frank Mir

If you’re a huge “Minotauro” Nogueira fan and have had September 25th marked down on your calendar, in anticipation of your boy getting another shot at Frank Mir, well, you may want to put the coffee down (or any other object that could be thrown courtesy a temper tantrum). According to a report from Fighters Only […]

cro cop

If you’re a huge “Minotauro” Nogueira fan and have had September 25th marked down on your calendar, in anticipation of your boy getting another shot at Frank Mir, well, you may want to put the coffee down (or any other object that could be thrown courtesy a temper tantrum). According to a report from Fighters Only Magazine Nogueira has been forced to withdraw from UFC 119 due to an injury. In a follow up report from MMA Junkie, a source has confirmed with the outlet, that a rib injury has in fact punted the legendary heavyweight from the card.

So, for big time Nog fans this news has to be very disappointing, as Nogueira has consistently said that a serious staph infection and a messed up knee, were key reasons as to why he got absolutely pasted by Mir at UFC 92. Looks like Nog learned his lesson in terms of trying to fight through an injury no?

Now, the sh-tty news regarding Nogueira’s injury aside, Fighters Only is reporting that Mirko “Cro Cop” will step in to fight Mir at UFC 119. Our first reaction was ‘cool—wait—what?’ Now Cro Cop has clearly fought some of the best in the sport, and if he has indeed agreed to fight Mir then that’s awesome, but it wasn’t long ago we were hearing reports that he was humming and hawing about retirement. Now he’s stepping up against one the world’s best on 6 week’s notice? Guess he’s still looking to make a run.

Big Nog Out of UFC 119 With Injury, Cro Cop to Fill in Against Frank Mir

(Look, we’re just as shocked as you are. Photo via LowKick.com)
According to Fighters Only, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will be unable to face Frank Mir in their headlining rematch at UFC 119 (September 25th, Indianapolis), due to an injury that will re…

Mirko Cro Cop Pat Barry UFC 115
(Look, we’re just as shocked as you are. Photo via LowKick.com)

According to Fighters Only, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will be unable to face Frank Mir in their headlining rematch at UFC 119 (September 25th, Indianapolis), due to an injury that will require surgery. Which sucks for him, but on the bright side, you didn’t really care about that fight anyway. Stepping in for Big Nog will be Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, who has been surging back to relevance with back-to-back stoppage victories over Anthony Perosh and Pat Barry. It’s a huge opportunity for Cro Cop, who would finally become a legitimate heavyweight contender in the UFC with a win over the former champion. Mir hasn’t competed since his TKO loss to Shane Carwin at UFC 111, which followed his quick spanking of Cheick Kongo last December.

Though Nogueira had to undergo knee surgery in 2009, his latest injury is possibly hip-related. Big Nog has also battled staph infections in recent years, which delayed his meeting with Cain Velasquez, and supposedly affected his first performance against Frank Mir at UFC 92. After suffering the only two stoppage losses of his career in his last three fights, it seems that Nogueira has finally learned his lesson about fighting hurt. But after so many tough battles, injuries, and illnesses, will his body ever fully recover?

Report: Cro Cop in for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir at UFC 119

Filed under: UFC, NewsAntonio Rodrigo Nogueira has suffered a training injury that will likely require surgery and has pulled out of his UFC 119 main-event rematch with Frank Mir. Stepping in for the heavyweight will be Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.

The …

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Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has suffered a training injury that will likely require surgery and has pulled out of his UFC 119 main-event rematch with Frank Mir. Stepping in for the heavyweight will be Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.

The news comes from Fighters Only magazine, citing a source close to the Nogueira camp, and comes just six weeks before the UFC’s Indiana debut.

Nogueira (32-6-1, 3-2 UFC) reportedly suffered a hip injury that will require surgery. Mir (13-5, 11-5 UFC) beat Nogueira when they first met at UFC 92 in December 2008 by knockout.

Frank Mir: Soon to Be the Distinguished Gentleman From Las Vegas?

Filed under: UFCIt’s been a few months since the last time we heard Frank Mir talking about a career in politics, but judging by a story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Tuesday, his enthusiasm for the idea hasn’t waned since then.

Mir, who describe…

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It’s been a few months since the last time we heard Frank Mir talking about a career in politics, but judging by a story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Tuesday, his enthusiasm for the idea hasn’t waned since then.

Mir, who described his political bent as “extremely liberal” when he mentioned a potential run for office to MMA Fighting’s Mike Chiappetta back in March, said he’s still considering a career in politics once his fighting days are over, if only because he wants to get off the sidelines and into the game.

“Politics affects everybody’s daily life,” Mir said. “I never want to be one of those guys that bellyaches in a bar about the president or Congress and at the end of the day you never vote or talk about what’s going on or do anything as far as having any kind of influence.”

UFC 119 Fight Card: Mir vs. Nogueira 2

Filed under: UFCThe UFC 119 fight card will feature the rematch between former heavyweight champions Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on Sept. 25 at the Conseco Field House in Indianapolis, Ind.

Rodrigo Nogueira’s twin brother, Rogerio, will al…

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The UFC 119 fight card will feature the rematch between former heavyweight champions Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on Sept. 25 at the Conseco Field House in Indianapolis, Ind.

Rodrigo Nogueira’s twin brother, Rogerio, will also be action in the co-main event, in a light heavyweight showdown against The Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader.

The fight card is below.