Over the course of a nine-year MMA career, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic has made a name for himself as one of the deadliest strikers in the history of the sport. In the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships, Filipovic turned his victims into human highlight reels with his powerful kickboxing prowess. As we approach the Croatian’s UFC 115 co-main event bout with fellow striking phenom Pat Barry, let’s take a look back at the most brutal knockouts in “Cro Cop’s” career.
Ibragim Magomedov- PRIDE – Critical Countdown 2005 (6/26/2005)
Filipovic was riding a six-fight win streak and coming off a knockout over Mark Coleman when he took on Ibragim Magomedov at PRIDE- Critical Countdown 2005. “Cro Cop” proved in this fight that he had the most lethal kicks in all of PRIDE by finishing Magomedov with a swift body kick in the first round.
Igor Vovchanchyn- PRIDE – Total Elimination 2003 (8/10/2003)
After destroying Heath Herring with a liver kick at PRIDE 26, Filipovic squared off with Ukrainian striker Igor Vovchanchyn. Despite his chubby appearance, Vovchanchyn was a seasoned veteran with knockout power in his hands. “Cro Cop” found his range easily and floored Vovchanchyn with a vicious left head kick.
Aleksander Emelianenko- PRIDE – Final Conflict 2004 (8/15/2004)
Aleksander Emlianenko (younger brother of Fedor Emelianenko) was a destructive force in PRIDE’s heavyweight division. The 6’6, 255-pound monster was smashing through heavyweights like nobody’s business and was unbeaten heading into his bout with “Cro Cop” at PRIDE Final Conflict 2004. Filipovic peppered the big Russian with straight punches before damn near crippling Emelianenko with a left high kick.
Wanderlei Silva- PRIDE Finale Conflict Absolute (9/10/2006)
Silva and Filipovic fought to a draw in a 2002 affair at PRIDE 20 and ever since then there had been animosity between the two. The two legendary strikers would meet again four years later in the semi finals of an open-weight tournament at PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute. Filipovic put Silva to sleep with his patented left head kick and went on to defeat Josh Barnett in the tournament finals.
For a comprehensive highlight reel of Cro Cop’s greatest moments, click here.
