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The 5 greatest heavyweight wars in MMA history, ranked

BAD MMA News — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 22:22:23 +0000

The heavyweight division, as defined by the unified rules of MMA via the Association of Boxing Commissions , consists of fighters who are between 206 and 265 pounds. Prior to the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board conceiving a set of rules and weight classes in 2000 that became the base of operations we are now familiar with today, MMA was essentially the Wild West when it started out in the 1990s. From open-weight matches to one-night tournaments, heavyweight fighters and classifications were a common occurrence in MMA’s early days. However, since the early 2000s, the heavyweight classification has largely stayed consistent across major promotions (despite some disarray amongst the lower weight classes).

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The 5 greatest heavyweight wars in MMA history, ranked – MMA Junkie

Video: Relive Mirko Cro Cop’s epic 2006 PRIDE grand prix run before joining UFC

BAD MMA News — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 20:21:03 +0000

Even more than 15 years later, Mirko Cro Cop ’s run under the now-defunct PRIDE FC banner in 2006 stands as one of the all-time great calendar years in MMA history. Cro Cop (38-11-2), who is one of the all-time great heavyweights to compete in the sport, closed his memorable tenure with the Japan-based PRIDE organization with a memorable four-fight streak – all in just over a five-month stretch. The Croatian kickboxing specialist tore through Ikukisa Minowa, Hidehiko Yoshida, Wanderlei Silva and Josh Barnett – the latter two of which he beat on the same night – to capture the 2006 PRIDE open weight grand prix tournament crown, which prompted a move to the UFC. Cro Cop’s future after that point, which included multiple UFC stints, a return to Japan to fight for DREAM and Rizin, as well as a one-fight stop on Bellator, featured mixed results. He ultimately retired from combat sports in March 2019 due to health issues. The 2006 run was among the best single-year stretches the sport has ever seen, and the UFC did its best to acknowledge that by releasing a “Year of the Fighter” special highlighting all of Cro Cop’s epic performances

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Video: Relive Mirko Cro Cop’s epic 2006 PRIDE grand prix run before joining UFC – MMA Junkie

Video: Mirko Cro Cop’s legacy lives on in PFL finalist Ante Delija

BAD MMA News — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 03:28:05 +0000

One of the most feared strikers in MMA history, Mirko Cro Cop is a legend in his home country of Croatia. In fact, heavyweight Ante Delija credits Cro Cop for the growth of MMA in the European nation. “We all started training because of Mirko Cro Cop,” Delija said.

Video: Mirko Cro Cop’s legacy lives on in PFL finalist Ante Delija – MMA Junkie

Combat Rewind, May 6: Young Khabib Nurmagomedov delivers a big right hand

BAD MMA News — Wed, 06 May 2020 12:07:05 +0000

There’s “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” (and Tuesday, too, if you want). But at MMA Junkie, we figured why not expand that to every day? “Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year. It’s a look back at history, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives, featuring stellar finishes and classic moments in MMA and beyond on their anniversaries. So kick back and relive the following bits of greatness in the video above: King of the Cage – Groundbreaking : Roosevelt Roberts vs.

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Combat Rewind, May 6: Young Khabib Nurmagomedov delivers a big right hand – MMA Junkie

Video: 45-year-old Mirko Cro Cop still looking scary a year after retirement

BAD MMA News — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 15:15:07 +0000

Mirko Cro Cop may no longer be fighting professionally, but that doesn’t mean he can’t kick ass. The former PRIDE champion released a video on Instagram on Wednesday reminding the world he’s still got it. Cro Cop was hitting the headshot bag with varied, fast, powerful combos, showing off the skills that made him a legend in combat sports. Cro Cop, 45, retired in March 2019 following a stroke after his decision win over Roy Nelson at Bellator 216. Doctors recommended he not continue fighting. The Croatian kickboxer walked away from MMA on a 10-fight winning streak, which also had him crowned the 2016 RIZIN open-weight grand prix champion.

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Video: 45-year-old Mirko Cro Cop still looking scary a year after retirement – MMA Junkie

UFC Fight Pass 500 Moments video: Mirko Cro Cop defeats his biggest fan is No. 236

BAD MMA News — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 02:15:03 +0000

UFC 244 marked the promotion’s 500th live event, and the organization is marking the occasion with “an internally curated list of 500 Unforgettable Moments from UFC history.” Scheduled to be released in seven installments, UFC Fight Pass 500 Moments shines a spotlight on some of the most memorable highlights – and lowlights – from the UFC’s 26-year run, both in and out of the cage. UFC Fight Pass officials have committed to sharing video of a few of those key moments with MMA Junkie, as well. This time, we bring you a heavyweight matchup from UFC 115 in June 2010. On the main card, fan favorite Pat Barry faced off against one of his heroes, Mirko Cro Cop . Admittedly, Barry was a bit starstruck – and it could have been one of the factors that led to his demise

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UFC Fight Pass 500 Moments video: Mirko Cro Cop defeats his biggest fan is No. 236 – MMA Junkie

KSW 51 weigh-ins results: All the stars hit the scales … including Mirko Cro Cop?

BAD MMA News — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 01:15:16 +0000

KSW 51 goes down Saturday, as Europe’s most successful MMA promotion heads to Zagreb, Croatia. So when in Croatia, why not have a visit from their most famous fighter the legendary Mirko Cro Cop ? The PRIDE grand prix champion was in the house for Friday’s weigh-ins at Arena Zagreb, and he even stepped up on the scale and showed off his guns

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KSW 51 weigh-ins results: All the stars hit the scales … including Mirko Cro Cop? – MMA Junkie

Mirko Cro Cop reports stroke after Bellator 216, retires from MMA

BAD MMA News — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 20:57:13 +0000

Less than two weeks after avenging a loss to Roy Nelson in Bellator, former PRIDE grand prix champion Mirko Cro Cop has announced his retirement. In a recent appearance on the Croatian network Nova TV, Cro Cop, 44, said he’s no longer able to compete after being hospitalized due to a stroke. “It’s over,” he said. “I hope I’m not going to cry, but it’s the inevitable retirement.” Cro Cop today posted a picture from a hospital showing a wrist braclet that said “Department of Epilepsy” with a sad emoji caption. On his official Facebook page, Cro Cop posted a picture with the caption “a sad goodbye.” Multiple requests to Bellator went unanswered, and MMAjunkie wasn’t immediately able to reach Cro Cop directly.

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Mirko Cro Cop reports stroke after Bellator 216, retires from MMA – MMA Junkie

Bellator 216 post-event facts: ‘MVP’ passes Ben Askren in record books

BAD MMA News — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 01:19:41 +0000

The second half of Bellator’s weekend doubleheader took place on Saturday with Bellator 216. The event went down at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMAjunkie. Arguably the biggest grudge match in company history headlined the card. It didn’t live up to the hype, but Michael Page (14-0 MMA, 10-0 BMMA) managed to advance to the welterweight grand prix semifinals with a unanimous-decision victory over fellow Brit Paul Daley (40-17-2 MMA, 6-4 BMMA). There were a number of other notable results on the card, as well. For more on the numbers, check below for 25 post-event facts from Bellator 216

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Bellator 216 post-event facts: ‘MVP’ passes Ben Askren in record books – MMA Junkie

Bellator chief Scott Coker reflects on Page vs. Daley, looks ahead to Fedor vs. Cro Cop rematch

BAD MMA News — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 18:17:03 +0000

Gallery Michael Page def. Paul Daley at Bellator 216: Best photos view 12 images (This story originally published in Monday’s print edition of USA TODAY.) UNCASVILLE, Conn.

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Bellator chief Scott Coker reflects on Page vs. Daley, looks ahead to Fedor vs. Cro Cop rematch – MMA Junkie