Cro Cop Announces Retirement

Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipović (photo: mmafighting)

Legendary Croatian mixed martial artist Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipović (42) has finally called an end to his amazing career just days after winning the Rizin Grand Prix in Japan.

Filipović arrived back in Croatia late last night from Japan, where he claimed the Rizin Grand Prix title, and within 24 hours he announced that he would bow out of the sport.

“That was definitely my last tournament. I have health problems and this is definitely the end of my career”, Cro Cop said in an interview with Nova TV tonight.

Filipović, who announced his retirement once before in 2015, said there would be no coming back this time.

“I know I have announced my retirement before, but this is definitely it”, he said.

Cro Cop with the Rizin Grand Prix belt

Cro Cop says that he will however stay involved in sport and has already some offers from abroad.

Filipović will go down as one of the greatest heavyweights in kickboxing and mixed martial arts in history.

He was the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion and the 2012 K-1 World 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.