Quote:
Croatian fighter Mirko Cro Cop is healing consequences of a hard defeat
to Gabriel Gonzaga in the UFC 70 tournament in Manchester, Great
Britain. Shocking pictures of unconscious Cro Cop lying in the cage
looked unreal since we were used to see exactly the opposite ones for
years.
Mirko had similar experiences with Kevin Randleman in Pride and Michael
McDonald in K-1. He lost by KO to both of them [that's not true,
although it says so in the article], and both times he succeeded to
comeback to the top. Although his charisma got seriously hurt, if not
destroyed, Mirko claims he has the motivation and strength for a new
comeback.
Q: Do you feel any health consequences from Manchester episode?
A: I don't have headaches, nor any visible consequences from Gonzaga's
high-kick. If it weren't for the pain in the right ankle, I'd already
be training. However, I have to passively rest for two weeks. The ankle
is swollen, but I don't think anything is broken, otherwise I wouldn't
be able to walk. Still, I'll go to see a doctor one of these days and
have it scanned."
Q: You seemed absent in the cage?
A: I wasn't myself against Gonzaga. I just couldn't decide to begin an
exchange of punches, to go forward. Something similar happened to me in
my last fight vs. Sanchez, but I still won that fight. These things
happen to me in cycles. First I learn a lesson in the ring, then I go
wild and win in streaks. However, there are no alibies for this defeat,
and I am not looking for any.
Q: What determined the outcome?
A: Gonzaga's elbows to my temple. When I got up, my vision was blurry and I didn't even see that right high-kick.
Q: Did you make any mistakes in the preparation for the fight?
A: The preparations were great and are not the problem. Right before
the fight I was apathetic, no good, couldn't focus and I fought without
any strategy.
Q: What will your future in the UFC look like?
A: I will definitely come back stronger. It's out of place to talk
about the belt, but I will respect the contract. Of course, provided
there are no new injuries. However, I don't know what could make me
fight more after I work off the remaining 4 fights.
Q: When can we expect you back in the ring?
A: I believe I'll fight again in the UFC at the end of August or
beginning of September. I expect to get a chance to rematch Gonzaga.
Thanks to everyone who came to Manchester for me, and all who called me
wishing me good luck. I got more than 200 calls and I couldn't answer
everyone.
Like I said many times, this was not that normal Cro Cop. He felt it too.
Q: What will your future in the UFC look like?
A: I will definitely come back stronger. It's out of place to talk
about the belt, but I will respect the contract. Of course, provided
there are no new injuries.However, I don't know what could make me fight more after I work off the remaining 4 fights.
DAMN IT!
Q: When can we expect you back in the ring?
A: I believe I'll fight again in the UFC at the end of August or
beginning of September. I expect to get a chance to rematch Gonzaga.
Thanks to everyone who came to Manchester for me, and all who called me
wishing me good luck. I got more than 200 calls and I couldn't answer
everyone.
