UFC
Dana White says Mirko Cro Cop heading to retirement following UFC 128 KO loss to Brendan Schaub
Mar 20, 2011 - 11:10:24 AM Dana White says Mirko Cro Cop heading to retirement following UFC 128 KO loss to Brendan Schaub

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Mirko Cro Cop is likely heading to retirement following a second straight knockout loss, this one coming against Brendan Schaub at UFC 128 on Saturday night in New Jersey.

At the very least, the vicious third round KO loss spells the end of his UFC career, as UFC President Dana White said after the event that Cro Cop would not get another fight in the organization. He said Cro Cop would be heading to retirement, and that he didn't expect much resistance from the Croatian on that front.

"I was talking tonight about how tough Mirko 'Cro Cop' is," White said after the event (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com). "At his age and with the wars he's been in, to see how he gets in there with these heavyweights now that are bigger, stronger and younger than he is – and he still holds his own – it's a testament to what a great fighter that guy was in his prime.

"I have all respect for Mirko 'Cro Cop,' but yeah, I'd have to say tonight is probably the last time we'll see 'Cro Cop' fight again."

Cro Cop entered the UFC for the first time in 2007 following a career high in winning the 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix in Pride. After a first round win over Eddie Sanchez, Cro Cop was then knocked out by Gabriel Gonzaga in his second UFC fight in what, at the time, was an entirely shocking upset. His first stint with the organization ended after a second consecutive loss to Cheick Kongo by decision.

He returned to the organization in 2009, and went 3-3 over his last six fights. But in his last two performances, Cro Cop was knocked out by both Frank Mir and Schaub in vicious fashion. At 36 years of age, he's contemplated retirement multiple times in the past, and after those two losses in a row, it may finally be time to hang up the gloves.

Penick's Analysis: Cro Cop has had a long career, but up against the new breed of heavyweights, and even some of the old guard, Cro Cop has simply lost a few steps, and he's not the fighter he was in 2006. With how badly he was knocked out against Mir and Schaub, there's no need for him to continue taking that type of punishment. And now that the UFC won't provide him a home, and with Strikeforce no longer being an option, there won't be anywhere viable for him to fight. Fans won't forget the highlights he provided, but his time as a top level heavyweight has long since passed.