Good CroCop UFC70 Pre-Fight Interview - Says UFC Annoys Him

Bullock · #1 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Mirko in cage with Gonzaga in front of 16000 people

Mirko doesn't like showbiz, but showbiz is egzactly what the UFC, his current organization, wants. They made a circus even in the weigh-ins, in front of around thousand people.
"In Japan I came to the hotel and didn't get out until the fight, and after the fight I went home. Here I have to do conferences, weigh-ins, and I don't like it, it annoys me, but it's their way, and I chose this job myself. Oh, I'm not sorry...", Mirko says.
Gonzaga and Mirko exchanged a couple of dangerous stares. It's going to get even more dangerous tomorrow in M.E.N. arena in Manchester where 16000 people are expected, including Manchester United players Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. Gonzaga looks dangerous, he's heavier than Mirko, and dangerous on the ground.
"I'm not familiar with him, I saw three of his fights, one of which he won after a minute on the ground. He's still rather unknown, I'm pretty sure he trained a lot and improved his boxing", Mirko explained. Mirko got the biggest applause of all the fighters in Bridgewater Hall.
Tomorrow he will be careful trying not to be taken down by Gonzaga, and it would be nice if he could end the fight quickly. "I'm not goint to let anyone take me down, it's not an easy thing to take me down. Now, I don't know whether I'll win in first, second or third round, I don't have a clue, and I must not look at it that way. I don't like that I have to wait, the fact my fight is the last one scheduled."
Mirko looked pretty calm, and in a good mood. Maybe because he did good in last night's game of cards. He played against his manager, and Mirko won 8:0.
"We don't want him to be nervous because of cards, so we let him win", Mirko's manager Lucic said.
Mirko also said this on Gonzaga: "I don't have anyone in Pride to compare Gonzaga with because I'm not really familiar with him. Everything will be clear when we stand in front of each other, when the fight begins. We will eneter the cage and fight, and see who comes out on top. I don't know how many strikes Gonzaga can take, we will see everything tomorrow, he's probably ready for the fight, but I'm ready for him aswell".

from http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/spor...87834/index.do

props Fruscht

NixHex · #2 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 03:23 PM

LoL our way annoys him. If he wasn't so damn exciting I don't know how much the US would like him.

Tried to give ya rep but it said I had to spread it out.

Bullock · #3 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g'nightXX

LoL our way annoys him. If he wasn't so damn exciting I don't know how much the US would like him.

Tried to give ya rep but it said I had to spread it out.

"I chose this job myself. Oh, I'm not sorry..."

pretty funny quote

smoogy · #4 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 04:04 PM

The staredown for Crocop-Silva II is all you really need to see to know what Mirko's demeanour is like. Silva was bouncing around like a crazy person and CroCop stood there following him with his eyes but otherwise he didn't even flinch.

joskar · #5 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 04:07 PM

Thanks for the article.

I was watching the UFC 70 Countdown show last night and it was more of an All Access type show featuring Gonzaga. Cro Cop was only shown in the footage, he didn't say a word.

NixHex · #6 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoogy

The staredown for Crocop-Silva II is all you really need to see to know what Mirko's demeanour is like. Silva was bouncing around like a crazy person and CroCop stood there following him with his eyes but otherwise he didn't even flinch.

His jaw clinches up quite noticably after a few seconds.

Noob · #7 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joskar

Thanks for the article.

I was watching the UFC 70 Countdown show last night and it was more of an All Access type show featuring Gonzaga. Cro Cop was only shown in the footage, he didn't say a word.

Please don't write in bold or colored fonts.

Keep it standard please.

Bullock · #8 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 04:37 PM

yeah that colored stuff hurts my eyes

Severn · #9 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the interview. Gave you props.

bmore_aki · #10 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 04:53 PM

Growing up a boxing fan, I find the televised weigh-ins and press conferences all natural parts of hyping a fight.
And also growing up as a wrestling fan, I find the All-Access style documentaries to be very interesting and "pot stirring".

Is fight promotion so different in Japan and Eastern Europe?

Maybe it is a genuine cultural difference...but it a difference Cro Cop is going to have to overcome. Though I'm obviously supportive of him as a fighter because of his skill level, I also want some access into his mental and physical preparation and readiness for his fights.

I think hearing fighters thoughts more vest fans ...or piss them off.