Video: Mirko Cro Cop Gets Cheap-Shotted at K-1 World Grand Prix Final 16

(Props: OneStopMMASpot via BloodyElbow)

On Sunday at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 Final 16 event in Tokyo, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic learned the hard way that not everyone in the fight business is as sweet as Pat Barry. During the third round of his match against American kickboxer Randy Blake, Cro Cop threw a questionable uppercut at Blake, who was getting to his feet after slipping to the mat. This did not make Randy Blake very happy. The action was called back in, and when Cro Cop moved in to apologize, Blake fired a straight right that put the 38-year-old Croatian on his ass. For the last time: Protect yourself at all times, especially when you’ve just pissed off a former star of the World Combat League.

The moment was reminiscent of Floyd Mayweather‘s controversial stoppage of Victor Ortiz last September, but unlike Ortiz, Cro Cop was able to dust himself off and fight until the last bell, earning a majority decision victory. With the win, Cro Cop qualifies for a spot in the eight-man 2012 Grand Prix Finals bracket, December 26th at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where he hopefully won’t be trying any more of this nice-guy crap.


(Props: OneStopMMASpot via BloodyElbow)

On Sunday at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 Final 16 event in Tokyo, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic learned the hard way that not everyone in the fight business is as sweet as Pat Barry. During the third round of his match against American kickboxer Randy Blake, Cro Cop threw a questionable uppercut at Blake, who was getting to his feet after slipping to the mat. This did not make Randy Blake very happy. The action was called back in, and when Cro Cop moved in to apologize, Blake fired a straight right that put the 38-year-old Croatian on his ass. For the last time: Protect yourself at all times, especially when you’ve just pissed off a former star of the World Combat League.

The moment was reminiscent of Floyd Mayweather‘s controversial stoppage of Victor Ortiz last September, but unlike Ortiz, Cro Cop was able to dust himself off and fight until the last bell, earning a majority decision victory. With the win, Cro Cop qualifies for a spot in the eight-man 2012 Grand Prix Finals bracket, December 26th at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where he hopefully won’t be trying any more of this nice-guy crap.

A Conversation with Randy Blake: The Great American Kickboxing Hope

The past couple of years have been tumultuous ones for the sport of kickboxing. Between financial woes and reported ties to organized crime, the sport hit a low point in 2011. But there seems to be a resurgence, not just in interest but also financiall…

The past couple of years have been tumultuous ones for the sport of kickboxing. Between financial woes and reported ties to organized crime, the sport hit a low point in 2011. But there seems to be a resurgence, not just in interest but also financially stable promotions.  One of those promotions is K-1, a brand […]

Tyrone Spong’s MMA Debut Set, Will Face James McSweeney on Nov. 3rd


(“And that was the first time I went full stanky leg.”) 

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Newton’s third law of motion seems to apply to the world of kickboxing this week, as just a few days after it was announced that Swedish kickboxing legend Jorgen Kruth would be departing from the world of MMA, it has been reported that Dutch kickboxing powerhouse Tyrone Spong will be making the transition to it. Spong, who’s has hinted at a move to MMA for some time now, is best known for his battles with such legends of the sport as Peter Aerts, Ray Sefo, and Melvin Manhoef, and currently holds a 68-6-1 with 1 NC record to his credit.

While it was rumored that Spong would be making his debut under the Titan Fighting Championships banner, it appears that the heavyweight slugger will be debuting under upstart promotion World Series of Fighting, alongside UFC rape joke-castaway Miguel Torres and many more.


(“And that was the first time I went full stanky leg.”) 

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Newton’s third law of motion seems to apply to the world of kickboxing this week, as just a few days after it was announced that Swedish kickboxing legend Jorgen Kruth would be departing from the world of MMA, it has been reported that Dutch kickboxing powerhouse Tyrone Spong will be making the transition to it. Spong, who’s has hinted at a move to MMA for some time now, is best known for his battles with such legends of the sport as Peter Aerts, Ray Sefo, and Melvin Manhoef, and currently holds a 68-6-1 with 1 NC record to his credit.

While it was rumored that Spong would be making his debut under the Titan Fighting Championships banner, it appears that the heavyweight slugger will be debuting under upstart promotion World Series of Fighting, alongside UFC rape joke-castaway Miguel Torres and many more.

And standing across the cage from Spong will be none other than TUF 10 alum James “The Hammer” McSweeney, who has put together four straight wins in the Shamrock Events promotion and one straight win over knife wielding hoodlums of the greater Las Vegas area. McSweeney already has a fight scheduled for October 6th against the 10-11 Matti Makela, but barring any serious injuries, should be ready to compete on November 3rd against Spong. It’s a fight schedule that Bob Sapp could appreciate if he weren’t too busy hiding from the monster in his closet.

There is of course the possibility that McSweeney could pack his bags and move as far away from Spong as humanly possible once he takes a look at one of Spong’s highlight videos. Then again, Spong has been training with the Blackzilians for some time now, so he more than likely will show up ten to twenty pounds over the weight limit.

Who do you like for this one, Potato Nation? Will McSweeney take it to the ground like any sane man would, or will pride rear its ugly head once again?

J. Jones

Video: American Kickboxing Academy Says No to B.J. Penn

B.J. Penn wanted to return to American Kickboxing Academy for a portion of his camp for his now-postponed fight against Rory MacDonald. After getting the go-ahead from AKA coach Javier Mendez, Penn’s plans were quickly shot down when Jon Fitch to…

B.J. Penn wanted to return to American Kickboxing Academy for a portion of his camp for his now-postponed fight against Rory MacDonald. After getting the go-ahead from AKA coach Javier Mendez, Penn’s plans were quickly shot down when Jon Fitch told Mendez he didn’t want any part of the idea. Fitch felt it was a […]

[VIDEO] Mirko Cro Cop Scores KO Victory Over Loren Javier Jorge at K-1 Rising


(Who wants to learn how to maker Tater Tots the *fun* way?) 

There are two schools of thought on how a given fighter should end their career in the UFC. The first, and perhaps most honorable method, involves a fighter going out on their shield, fighting until they can fight no more, so to speak. The second involves a fighter talking a ridiculous amount of trash, losing a fight in embarrassing fashion, and throwing a hissy fit backstage that only enforces their bosses decision to fire them. Thankfully, Mirko Cro Cop chose the former method (though he perhaps stuck around a couple fights too long), and after suffering a trio of (T)KO losses to Frank Mir, Brendan Schuab, and Roy Nelson, was ousted from the UFC.

This is not to say that we got any enjoyment out of witnessing the Croatian’s demise, but more so that we were happy to see Cro Cop come to the realization that his career in mixed martial arts had gone as far as it could go. His career in kickboxing, however, has seemingly yet to come to a crashing halt, as Filipvoic managed to pick up a rather impressive second round knockout victory over Loren Javier Jorge at K-1 Rising earlier today in Madrid, Spain.

Cro Cop looked better than we’ve seen him in quite some time, unleashing a few beautiful, snappy head kicks that were nothing short of nostalgic. But the finishing blows did not come as a result of his well-documented kicks, but rather from a series of uppercuts that dropped Jorge a two occasions, the latter of which he could not recover from. Cro Cop looked quick, efficient, and more than anything else, eager to finish the fight when presented the opportunity. Again, it was a very nostalgic experience for both Cro Cop and those who had the privilege of catching the fight.

Take a trip down memory lane after the jump. 


(Who wants to learn how to maker Tater Tots the *fun* way?) 

There are two schools of thought on how a given fighter should end their career in the UFC. The first, and perhaps most honorable method, involves a fighter going out on their shield, fighting until they can fight no more, so to speak. The second involves a fighter talking a ridiculous amount of trash, losing a fight in embarrassing fashion, and throwing a hissy fit backstage that only enforces their bosses decision to fire them. Thankfully, Mirko Cro Cop chose the former method (though he perhaps stuck around a couple fights too long), and after suffering a trio of (T)KO losses to Frank Mir, Brendan Schuab, and Roy Nelson, was ousted from the UFC.

This is not to say that we got any enjoyment out of witnessing the Croatian’s demise, but more so that we were happy to see Cro Cop come to the realization that his career in mixed martial arts had gone as far as it could go. His career in kickboxing, however, has seemingly yet to come to a crashing halt, and in fact maybe on the upswing, as Filipvoic managed to pick up a rather impressive second round knockout victory over Loren Javier Jorge at K-1 Rising earlier today in Madrid, Spain.

Cro Cop looked better than we’ve seen him in quite some time, unleashing a few beautiful, snappy head kicks that were nothing short of nostalgic. But the finishing blows did not come as a result of his well-documented kicks, but rather from a series of uppercuts that dropped Jorge a two occasions, the latter of which he could not recover from. Cro Cop looked quick, efficient, and more than anything else, eager to finish the fight when presented the opportunity. Again, it was a very nostalgic experience for both Cro Cop and those who had the privilege of catching the fight.

Though the finish comes toward the end of the video, my personal favorite moment comes around the 6:43 mark, where, after the referee separates the two, Cro Cop pulls off a dead-on Robert Deniro impression without uttering a word. If there was anyone doubting his acting talents after Ultimate Force, they can promptly suck it.

J. Jones

UFC on Fox 3 Results: Will MMA Just Become Glorified, Sloppy Kickboxing?

UFC on Fox 3 was the UFC on Fox event fans were hoping for, but it might’ve been at the cost of the MMA‘s soul! Pat Barry versus Lavar Johnson was likely the most exciting fight that’s been on a Fox card. However, when you examine tha…

UFC on Fox 3 was the UFC on Fox event fans were hoping for, but it might’ve been at the cost of the MMA‘s soul! Pat Barry versus Lavar Johnson was likely the most exciting fight that’s been on a Fox card. However, when you examine that fight more closely, it wasn’t the best example […]