Perez's Take
PEREZ: A happy Mirko Cro Cop goes out on a high note
Jun 15, 2010 - 3:30:42 PM PEREZ: A happy Mirko Cro Cop goes out on a high note

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By: Anwar Perez, MMATorch Columnist

At this past weekend's UFC 115 event, the world was introduced to a new version of Mirko Cro-Cop. Yes, the same Cro-Cop that has shown no mercy throughout his illustrious career in K-1, Pride FC, and UFC was smiling throughout his entrance to “Wild Boys” by Duran Duran, and during his entire match with opponent Pat Barry. In fact, during the fight, both Cro-Cop and Barry embraced in the middle of the ring, as a sign of fandom (on the part of Barry) and respect.

Again, doing all the smiling and hugging was Mirko Cro-Cop.

The same man who once proclaimed “right leg hospital, left leg cemetary” regarding his kicks. The same man who has never shown any sort of emotion in any match. The same man who made Bob Sapp cry after hitting him in the face, breaking his eye socket in the process, during a K-1 match. The man that was known for his vicious fighting style, showing no mercy to any man, and for giving the world some of the best highlight reel knockouts in the history of MMA.

It has been said before the fight that Cro-Cop was in the twilight of his career, almost similar to the same fate that had befallen Chuck Liddell. Cro-Cop had not done very well in the UFC during his stint with the company, and has told many that the fight with Pat Barry could be his last.

His fight with Barry was nothing short of spectacular. The feeling in the air once Cro-Cop entered the cage with a smile seemed to be of a different day for the Croatian. The look on his face almost seemed to say “thank you, and here is my gift to you one more time.” He seemed content in the cage, and left everything in there. Even after being knocked down twice by Barry, Cro-Cop got back up and threw his patented high-left kick, and also an array of movie like kicks like axe kicks and side kicks. He was able to outlast Barry and punish him with punches that got Barry against the cage, and Cro-Cop was able to see an opening and put Barry out with a rear-naked choke. Yes, a rear-naked choke from Cro-Cop. It definitely isn’t the only time he has submitted someone, but it’s still a sight to see when it happens from someone known as a knockout artist.

He looked relaxed, calm, and more importantly, happy. It almost seemed that he came to the conclusion that if this was it, then this was it. He left it all in the ring and gave a performance that is easily his best since entering the Octagon in 2007.

After the match ended, and Cro-Cop grabbed the mic from Joe Rogan, it almost seemed that the next few minutes were going to be Cro-Cop telling his fans and the world that this was it. That didn’t come out of his mouth, but it seemed that he almost wanted to say it and yet, he didn’t.

Even as reports are coming out now that it seems that he is leaning towards retirement, there is nothing that Cro-Cop can be ashamed of. He was a Grand Prix champion for Pride FC. He may have never won a title in either Pride FC or UFC, but in this rare instance, titles mean little. Cro-Cop was at one time the most feared fighter in the world. Still, to this day, there are very few men who could say that they were tagged with that title. If this truly is it, then Cro-Cop will have left on a high note and left us with images of left-high kicks, wild takedown defenses (his sprawl is unmatched), and the scariest fighter ever to come out to Duran Duran entrance music.

The “happy” Cro-Cop may be the last image we see of Mirko, and if it is, it’s an image that will stay in the minds of MMA fans for years to come.

And also, let’s not forget, left-high kicks and knockouts at the expense of Igor Vovchanchyn, Alexander Emelianenko, and Wanderlei Silva.

Thanks for the memories.