Sherdog’s Top 10: European Mixed Martial Artists

2. Mirko Filipovic

The 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix winner rose to power inside Pride Fighting Championships, where he scored countless highlight-reel knockouts, often with his patented left high kick. Wins over Kazushi Sakuraba, Igor Vovchanchyn, Josh Barnett (three times), Mark Coleman and Wanderlei Silva highlighted his run of dominance in the Japanese organization. At his best, “Cro Cop” was difficult to beat.

His crowning achievement came in the 2006 Pride open weight grand prix. There may never again be a greater concentration of talent in one tournament, and the list of names remains staggering: Barnett, Silva, Mark Hunt, Fabricio Werdum, Alistair Overeem, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Hidehiko Yoshida. Filipovic was the last man standing.

By the time “Cro Cop” reached the UFC, his best days were behind him and he never quite lived up to the expectations that preceded his arrival. His lackluster performance in the Octagon may have put a damper on his legacy in the minds of some, but his legend was built and secured in the Pride ring where he inspired fear and wonder like few others.

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