Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (31-11-2, 1NC) has made a Facebook post about injuring his shoulder and not being able to fight Anthony Hamilton at UFC Seoul.
In the status update he also drops hints at potential retirement from combat sports all together. The original post is in Croation, so here is an (albeit rough) English translation of him discussing the injury as well as his desire to retire:
“Dear friends, I had to unfortunately cancel the fight in Seoul. As early preparations hurt my shoulder so I could not even raise a hand. I tried to save his shoulder injury and repair in all possible ways, and daily therapies and injections of blood plasma and various cocktails of drugs but the remedy would be a break of two to three weeks and that I could not afford in the midst of final preparations.”
“My next fight would have been 80 this professional and that is a lot, especially in this sport. K-1, Pride, IGF, UFC. The biggest problem will be my adaptation of the ‘civilian’ life. No two workouts a day and the eternal journey around the world, which we will not be so tough on you. I train while I’m alive because it is my life but not at this rate and I was glad in a way. This is not an immediate decision because I’m unhappy doing all this but my final decision, and it is best for me. Sooner or later the time comes when one must stop and think about their health. I had a really long and rich career and I believe I left a deep mark in the martial arts, in a free fight in K-1 and have nization pour. Thanks to all who have followed me and supported me and remain beautiful memories and memories. Greetings!”
If Filipovic decides to legitimately retire from combat sports after multiple decades, he will undoubtedly go down as one of the best heavyweight fighters ever, both in kickboxing and MMA.
No word on whether or not Anthony Hamilton will get a new heavyweight opponent at UFC Seoul on November 28.
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