Mirko Cro Cop Biography
Winner of 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Championship and 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, Mirko Cro Cop is a Croatian mixed martial art artist, former kickboxer, and boxer. He can be seen fighting for the Bellator MMA this season.
Cro Cop married to his wife Klaudija Filipovic in 2002. The couple has two sons, Ivan Filipovic, and Filip Filipovic.
Mirko Cro Early life & Education
Mirko Filipovic was born on 10th September 1947 in Vinkovci, eastern Croatia. He was born into a middle-class family. He has a three year elder sister. His father was an electrician for a railway company.
Instagram: Mirko in his teenage years;
Mirko says that he was inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme’s role in the movie Bloodsport. He began training with his father’s boxing equipment in his garage.
He also served in the Croatian Army for a brief period of time.
Mirko Cro MMA Career
Cro Cop made his debut in professional kickboxing by defeating Jerome Le Banner. Before kickboxing, he was involved in boxing for a short period of time. He gave up boxing after losing the 1997 World Amateur Boxing Championships.
In 2001 he fought for Pride FC. He fought in 6 fights for Pride FC and won all except one draw. He defeated many peak players like Heath Herring, Fedor Emelianenko. He became the first-ever player to defeat Igor Vovchanchyn.
Youtube: Mirko Cro Cop in a match;
His first ever professional defeat was at PRIDE Interim Heavyweight Championship from Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. He then suffered heavy loss in the PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix from Kevin Randleman.
After the championship, Cro Cop went to secure back to back seven wins and also managed to defeat his former opponent Randleman.
Crop cop lost the title of PRIDE to Emelianenko. The fight was named as the fight of the year and also as fight of the decade.
Instagram: Mirko practicing for his upcoming fight;
In 2006, Mirko won his first ever MMA title by defeating Josh Barnett in PRIDE 2006 Openweight Grand Prix championship.
In December 2006 Cro Cop was signed in by the UFC and made his debut on 3rd February 2007. On 21st April 2007, he was a contender for the title of UFC but was defeated.
In 2008 Cro Cop was signed by new MMA event DREAM. Mirko sustained several serious injuries at the event and was forced to withdraw. At the last match, his right testicle was lodged in his body and went limping off of the stage.
After his DREAM event, Mirko returned to UFC. He won several victories at the UFC.
Youtube: Mirko in a fight;
In 2012 he announced his retirement from MMA and said would pursue kickboxing. He did few kickboxing matches and again expressed his desire to return to MMA. In 2016 Mirko competed in Openweight Grand Prix and won the tournament.
On 5th March 2018, the Bellator MMA announced that it had signed Mirko and his debut for the Bellator is scheduled on 25th May 2018.
Mirko Cro Married, Dating, Girlfriend, Affairs Children
Cro Cop married his longtime girlfriend Klaudija Filipovic in 2002. The couple has two sons, the name of one of his sons are Ivan Filipovic and Filip Filipovic.
Instagram: Mirko with his son;
Due to his popularity in Croatia, Cro Cop was successfully elected in the parliament of Croatia. He served in the parliament from 2003 to 2008. He was elected by Social Democratic Party of Croatia. He also starred in a movie and has played as a guest member for his hometown football club.
Instagram: Mirko with his elder son;
Mirko Cro Net Worth, Income, Earning, Salary
Unlike other MMA fighters, Mirko has an extraordinary income. His net worth is estimated to be as much as $5.5 million USD. Allocating information from several sources as of 2018 it is found out that Mirko current estimated net worth is around $4.5 million.
His excellent victory records over the years had led him to be one of the top MMA fighters in the MMA. Also, his several win bonus and titles he holds brings a huge amount to his door. According to tapology.com, Cro Cop’s career disclosed earning is $1,359,132 USD.
Tags
