Mirko Cro Cop
Mirko Filipović (Croatian pronunciation: [mîrko fǐːlipɔːʋitɕ]; born 10 September 1974), better known by his ring name Mirko Cro Cop, is a Croatian former professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer and amateur boxer. He is mostly known for his time in Pride Fighting Championships. Cro Cop fought in the UFC, K-1, RIZIN and Bellator. He is widely considered one of the greatest Heavyweight Kickboxers and MMA fighters of all time.
| Mirko Cro Cop | |
|---|---|
Mirko Cro Cop in April 2015 | |
| Born | Mirko Filipović 10 September 1974 Vinkovci, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Other names | Cro Cop |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 234 lb (106 kg; 16 st 10 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Zagreb, Croatia |
| Team | Cro Cop Squad Gym Tigar Gym Vos Gym |
| Trainer | Ivan Hippolyte, Stipe Drviš, Mario Mlinarić |
| Rank | Black belt in Taekwondo |
| Years active | 1996–2003, 2012–2014 (Kickboxing) 2001–2019 (MMA) |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 34 |
| Wins | 26 |
| By knockout | 13 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 52 |
| Wins | 38 |
| By knockout | 30 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 11 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Amateur boxing record | |
| Total | 86 |
| Wins | 78 |
| By knockout | 31 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Special forces officer, politician |
| Spouse | Klaudija Filipović (2002–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | www |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
| Member of the Croatian Parliament | |
| In office 23 December 2003 – 11 January 2008 | |
| President | Stjepan Mesić |
| Prime Minister | Ivo Sanader |
| Constituency | District 1 |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Social Democratic Party (SDP) |
Last updated on: 3 November 2016 | |
Cro Cop is the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion, the 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion and the 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Champion becoming the second fighter in the world to win mixed martial arts and kickboxing championships and tournaments. He is also a former IGF Champion. His nickname, Cro Cop, short for "Croatian Cop", comes from his employment in the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, Croatia's elite Police Special Forces tactical unit.
Cro Cop's signature move was his lightning-quick left high roundhouse kick, once famously described as "right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery." He was a successful amateur boxer and medalled numerous times in international competition, and was also a member of Croatia's world team when he competed at the 1997 Amateur Boxing World Championships.
From 23 December 2003 until 11 January 2008 he served as a Member of the Croatian Parliament for the 1st electoral district. He was elected as an independent candidate on the list of the Social Democratic Party.
On 1 March 2019, he announced his retirement due to health reasons, specifically a stroke he suffered.