Cro Cop Steps Up To The Plate For Injured Minotauro At UFC 119

A rematch between Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira was set for UFC 119 on September 25 at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This could have been a great matchup since Mir won their previous meeting with a second-round knockout. It was only later after the fight that we found out about Noqgueira's staph infection and knee injury. Seeing a healthy Minotauro fight Mir would have been interesting. However, things were not meant to be.

Nogueira had to pull out due to a reported recurring hip injury. In his place comes Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic on short notice. Cro Cop accepted the challenge feeling he owes it to the fans, to the Fertittas and Dana White who have taken him to where he is right now.

I would say that this may not be a good match right now. Cro Cop may have enough time to prepare for Mir who has, despite losing to Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin recently, has shown improvements in his conditioning and striking. Cro Cop still has superior striking skills compared to Mir but the fight will most likely take place on the ground with Mir using his superior ground and submission skills.

Cro Cop has a shot with his head kicks but it may take more than that to beat a tough Frank Mir. Mir should submit Cro Cop once they get to the ground. Cro Cop still gets credit for taking on this fight on short notice.

UFC Heavyweight Pat Barry A Class Act

Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight Pat Barry made it publicly known that he was a huge fan of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. At UFC 115, the gates of the octagon closed behind with that in our minds. In the first round, Barry knocked Cro Cop twice with the right hand. The effect was immediately visible as Cro Cop's face started to swell.

Rounds 2 and 3 went a different direction. Cro Cop came back strong and ended the fight in the third with a rear naked choke, causing Barry to tap out.

Critics were quick to pounce on Pat Barry, saying he was tentative after the first round. He stopped punching and kicking unlike in his previous fights wherein he displayed awesome power and technique in kickboxing. Others were saying he had too much respect for his longtime idol.

Dude, that was no way to become an elite fighter. Manny Pacquiao idolized Oscal dela Hoya but he never let it get in the way to beating Oscar to submission. In the same manner, Barry was not starstruck as he was perceived in that fight. Remember, he knocked Cro Cop twice in the opening round.

Truth be told... he actually broke his right hand and right foot. For a someone to keep fighting in pain like that, he deserves some respect. Right after the loss, he never made excuses about it so as not to take anything away from Cro Cop.

Pat Barry may have lost that fight with Cro Cop but he stands for what is good about mixed martial artists. He is a real class act, with respect for other fighters that I did not see in Anderson Silva when he faced off with Demian Maia. I hope someone beats the lights out of Silva sooner than later. Chael Shonnen has this tough task in UFC 117 about twelve days from now. I am rooting for Chael but the money is still on Silva. Let's talk about that next time.

As for you Mr. Barry... good job.
















Search Amazon.com for UFC