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BENT: Previewing UFC 99 - Mirko Cro Cop vs. Mostapha Al Turk
Jun 8, 2009 - 10:09:35 AM BENT: Previewing UFC 99 - Mirko Cro Cop vs. Mostapha Al Turk

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The opening bout of the main televised portion of the pay-per-view is a compelling heavyweight attraction. The name given to the UFC 99 pay-per-view is "The Comeback;" and while this certainly does have much to do with both Silva and Franklin in the main event, it could not be any more true than when applied to this bout. Mirko Cro Cop is a legend because of all that he did in PRIDE and K-1, but to those UFC fans who only know him from his losses to Gonzaga and Kongo it is tough to explain to them why he came in with so much fanfare. Cro Cop was yet another PRIDE product who failed in the UFC, and this was blamed on everything from the Octagon to mumblings regarding PRIDE's lack of stringent drug testing. Cro Cop will be attempting to make a successful comeback when he takes on Mostapha Al Turk at UFC 99. Al Turk is a durable fighter but a very raw and unrefined one, so this is a fight Cro Cop should win and convincingly so. They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, but on Saturday night this will be proven false by Cro Cop as he does his best to reintroduce himself to the fans by making them forget his most recent stint in the UFC.

This is Mirko Cro Cop's last chance in the UFC. Period. If he fails to win against Al Turk it would shock me if we were to ever see him in the Octagon again. He could not possibly have picked a better opponent, and to be able to do this in Germany is of benefit as well. All of the intangibles favor Cro Cop, but no matter if it is in a ring or a cage, and regardless of which promotion signs his paychecks, Cro Cop has to win and show proof that he still can be that which he once was. It all starts now; and if he is successful it could lead to some outstanding opportunities for him.

Mirko Cro Cop's career record stands at 24 wins against 6 losses with 2 draws and 1 bout ruled a no contest. Of his victories, 18 have come by way of KO and 3 by submission. Cro Cop holds victories over the likes of Kazushi Sakuraba, Heath Herring, Josh Barnett(thrice), Mark Coleman, and Wanderlei Silva. Those who have beaten Cro Cop are Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Kevin Randleman, Fedor Emelianenko, Mark Hunt, Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo.

Cro Cop has made plenty of excuses for his back to back losses to Gonzaga and Kongo, but facts are facts and he lost two fights that he arguably would have won had he been at full strength and ability in both. This, of course, made people wonder if perhaps age was becoming an issue, and that maybe the Cro Cop of old was just an old Cro Cop.

Following his failed stint in the UFC, Cro Cop went on to score a 1st round TKO of Tatsuya Mizuno at Dream 1, and it looked for all the world as if he had indeed bounced back somewhat. Up next for him was a much anticipated bout with Alistair Overeem at Dream 6, which was ruled a no contest after a ring doctor determined Cro Cop could not continue following multiple unintentional shots to the groin. A rematch was to be in the works for some time, but it would appear unlikely for this to ever take place. His bout with Overeem was not his best moment, but he was not completely outclassed or outgunned in spite of being taken down with ease by his opponent. In my opinion, Cro Cop showed just enough to merit another chance in the ring.

Now, Cro Cop is getting that chance again in the UFC Octagon. In Al Turk he will have a fairly stationary opponent and the chance to give us one more of his trademark decapitations with one of his head kicks. Al Turk is not on Cro Cop's level, but if age and injuries have caught up with the soon to be 35 yr. old Croation, it could be a solid fight and has potential to be an upset.

Mostapha Al Turk is a supremely skilled wrestler who was most recently the Cage Rage Heavyweight Champion before relinquishing the title in order to try his hand at the brand of MMA inside of the UFC Octagon. Al Turk is a stocky, fire plug of a fighter who stands 6'2" and weighs a very thick 245 lbs. For his size he can move fairly well, and he is indeed a strong fighter, but he looked to be nothing more than a heavy bag in shorts when he faced Cheick Kongo at UFC 92. He is going to have to do a whole lot more and absorb much less punishment if he wishes to vanquish Cro Cop on June 13 at UFC 99.

Mostapha Al Turk holds a career record of 6 wins against 4 losses with 4 of his victories coming by way of KO and 2 by submission. The only notable, and I should also add familiar, name that Al Turk holds a victory over is Mark Kerr, and was achieved when he pounded "The Smashing Machine" into submission at Cage Rage 20 in February of 2007. Those who have defeated Al Turk are Mike Ward, Kassim Annan, Tengiz Tedoradze, and the aforementioned Cheick Kongo. Kongo has been the biggest name and best opponent for Al Turk to have faced and he failed miserably against him.

Al Turk told Fighter's Magazine that his prediction is for this fight to turn out "one of three ways; either I bang him out, submit him or ground and pound him," which proves that while he may not be a truly formidable foe that he is at least a very confident one. He conveniently forgot to add in a fourth one to this list, with that being Cro Cop breaks his leg while kicking Al Turk and is ruled unable to continue.

Bent's Prediction: Mirko Cro Cop by way of 1st Round TKO

I am being rather generous in not predicting a pure knockout victory, and this is because I believe Al Turk is tough enough to absorb a hellacious beating and the referee will be forced to wave it off. Al Turk is a superb wrestler, but there is no way that he will prove capable of taking Cro Cop down in the same fashion Overeem did. Cro Cop has way too much to lose, more to prove than ever and this should mean he arrives for this fight in his best possible shape and with his old killer instinct back. Al Turk has a chance for sure, but Cro Cop will prove victorious and make the most of his chance, that being his second chance at success in the UFC.