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Cro Cop retiring
"I'm happy how everything turned out, and now - retirement" Mirko said to gathered press at Zagreb airport after his return from Vancouver.
Everyone hoped that he will change his mind in the airplane and that announcement of his retirement regardless of the outcome of the fight against Barry is just the consequence of the psychological pressure before the match.
"I was totally ready, I was probably never this good in my whole career and now comes the retirement. First comes the rest, but it's probably the end. I will think this thru and of course there is always that never say never thing, but it's enough serving the military for Mirko. I live like a dog. I travel around the world, breaking mine and other people's bones, I have to rest very well because I don't have the motivation anymore. I'm much closer to leaving the game to younger fighters. I want to dedicate myself to other things right now. I don't want to be a soldier anymore. I want to have more free time. I secured my existence..."
"I love this sport, and I will stay in it in some other way. I will stay in contact with UFC. I would love to hold seminars all over the world. I recived some offers to transfer my knowlege to younger people."
There is always an option of comback. He will talk to Dana White and if some "immoral" offer comes into play, the comeback is always an option
"We will talk. Dana told me to sleep over it and to think about it again. We will stay in contact anyway. They were always good to me. This last fight turned out great and I'm sure that they would love to see me again. Even if I change my mind there is no way that I will step in the ring this year. Maybe never again. Some compare me to Randy Couture who is 10 years older than me and is still fighting. That is the truth, but he has 17 fights and I have 30 in Japanonly, plus K1, plus UFC... It all drains you, physically and mentally"
I was translating this article so excuse me if I made some mistakes
The worst, painful moments for me as a K-1 fan was
that liver-shot by Hoost to CroCop in the WGP 1999
final, and the decision loss again from Hoost in
2000 finals. Hoost ruined his K-1 career, as he
ruined JLBs. He really should retire, and
deservedly. He barely beat a "one-armed man"
(remember Twin-Peaks anyone?) - nothing to tell his
grandchildren about. So its really time.
Respect for crocop. this guy really proved that
there are smart, intelligent and charismatic
fighters. he knows the philosophy of the martial
arts.
Thanks for translating the article,
stark.Yes, please retire Mirko. You had a great career, you are very respected; but it is time. Maybe it was time last year already ...
Sigh...I knew this day would come :(But somehow I see him coming back for a fight or two.
At least his last match was pretty good.
I always wished he would have won a K1 GP, just because of his skill and spirit.
@Mitko J yeah you are right so much i m the same
sorry for him because of Hoost ruining his career
in K 1 and he was also unlucky in MMA despite being
onbe of the best fighters IMO i m so sorry to hear
that he is retiring also i m struggling to see his
fight with Barry but i cant can anyone send me a
link without surveys and such ? i know UFC always
hard to watch because the take all videos off as
they want viewers to pay..
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