Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic has announced his decision to retire from the sport at the age of 42 after winning Rizin’s end of year open-weight grand-prix.
“That was definitely my last tournament,” ‘Cro Cop’ stated on Croatian TV. “I have health problems and this is definitely the end of my career.”
This is not the first time the heavyweight legend has attempted to hang up his gloves, but this time he insists his decision is final.
“I know I have announced my retirement before, but this is definitely it.”
Now does seem like the perfect time for ‘Cro Cop’ to walk away from the sport on a high after an impressive showing in Rizin’s tournament that saw him rediscover some of the spark that made him a big draw during his time in another Japanese organization PRIDE many years ago.
‘Cro Cop’s’ road to the GP win began in September when he submitted Hyun Man Myung in the first round, but a few months later he faced the daunting challenge of having to fight three times in the space of three days if he wanted to emerge victorious.
In the end, ‘Cro Cop’ took it all in his stride, first first dismantling Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal by TKO in the quarter-finals on December 29th, then also stopping ‘Baruto’ by TKO a couple of days later, and finally producing a first round knockout victory against Amir Aliakbari in the final.
In total ‘Cro Cop’ finally steps away from the sport with a 35-11-2 (1nc) record with his legacy secured as a heavyweight hall-of-famer.
