gandhalf
02-20-2007, 09:51 AM
(translated from a croatian interview)
SN: Yesterday Mirko has started with his preparation for Gonzaga, the fight is scheduled on 21st April, in Manchester.
CroCop: "I've never been to Manchester, I'm really happy to visit this city. It's always nice to meet new cultures and to see new things.
SN: Can you fully train?
CroCop: I've started with some easier trainings because I still have some problems with my injuries, when I heal them I will try with full/serious preparations.
SN: Do you know anything about Gonzaga?
CroCop: I've just seen a couple of fights on video cassettes. He is a solid fighter and it won't be as easy as many expect to be. He is a world class jiu jitsu particioner, 10 kg heavyiver, all in all it can get very dangerous, especially on the ground and in the clinch. He is also capable to KO his opponent with one punch."
SN: What will your preparations be like?
CroCop: "I will train normally, which means I will be mainly focused on my kicks but also I will put some extra attention to my BJJ, which is Gonzaga's main strenght."
SN: How did you see your first fight in the UFC? Any impressions?
CroCop: "I wouldn't say it's any different than it is in Japan. Both organizations are well organized, all is super-professional.
The only difference I can think of is that in USA the acpect of media is much larger. Also the crowd is different, if you are not active in the octagon they will start to boo you. They don't do that in Japan."
SN: You have used PRIDE Fighter Theme as your entrance song. How so?
CroCop: "I would like to keep the reasons for myself."
SN: Did anyone from Japan call you to congratulate on your successful debut?
CroCop: "No-one called me."
SN: Even though the rematch against the current PRIDE champ Fedor Emelianenko is not likely to happen, your name is constantly used in the same sentence with him. Can we expect a rematch?
CroCop: "I honestly would like it to happen. But it doesn't depend on me, I have a contract with the UFC, and he with PRIDE."
SN: Rumors are you earned 1 million USD for a fight against Sanchez.
CroCop: "Always the same. Everybody first asks about how much money I got, but no-one asks me if I'm in pain or how is my operated foot."
SN: But is it true you earned so much?
CroCop: "I don't want to comment the financial side of my fights."
SN: Yesterday Mirko has started with his preparation for Gonzaga, the fight is scheduled on 21st April, in Manchester.
CroCop: "I've never been to Manchester, I'm really happy to visit this city. It's always nice to meet new cultures and to see new things.
SN: Can you fully train?
CroCop: I've started with some easier trainings because I still have some problems with my injuries, when I heal them I will try with full/serious preparations.
SN: Do you know anything about Gonzaga?
CroCop: I've just seen a couple of fights on video cassettes. He is a solid fighter and it won't be as easy as many expect to be. He is a world class jiu jitsu particioner, 10 kg heavyiver, all in all it can get very dangerous, especially on the ground and in the clinch. He is also capable to KO his opponent with one punch."
SN: What will your preparations be like?
CroCop: "I will train normally, which means I will be mainly focused on my kicks but also I will put some extra attention to my BJJ, which is Gonzaga's main strenght."
SN: How did you see your first fight in the UFC? Any impressions?
CroCop: "I wouldn't say it's any different than it is in Japan. Both organizations are well organized, all is super-professional.
The only difference I can think of is that in USA the acpect of media is much larger. Also the crowd is different, if you are not active in the octagon they will start to boo you. They don't do that in Japan."
SN: You have used PRIDE Fighter Theme as your entrance song. How so?
CroCop: "I would like to keep the reasons for myself."
SN: Did anyone from Japan call you to congratulate on your successful debut?
CroCop: "No-one called me."
SN: Even though the rematch against the current PRIDE champ Fedor Emelianenko is not likely to happen, your name is constantly used in the same sentence with him. Can we expect a rematch?
CroCop: "I honestly would like it to happen. But it doesn't depend on me, I have a contract with the UFC, and he with PRIDE."
SN: Rumors are you earned 1 million USD for a fight against Sanchez.
CroCop: "Always the same. Everybody first asks about how much money I got, but no-one asks me if I'm in pain or how is my operated foot."
SN: But is it true you earned so much?
CroCop: "I don't want to comment the financial side of my fights."