Under the Microscope: Analyzing Heavyweight Greats

Eric StintonFeb 15, 2016

Mirko Filipovic

* Heavyweight Record: 27-11-3
* Opponent Winning Percentage: .707
* Longest Winning Streak: 7
* Record in Major Heavyweight Title Fights: 1-2
* Finish Percentage: 93
* Finished Percentage: 73
* Notable Victories: Kazuyuki Fujita (twice), Heath Herring, Igor Vovchanchyn, Aleksander Emelianenko, Josh Barnett (thrice), Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman, Wanderlei Silva, Gabriel Gonzaga
* Career Accomplishments: 2006 Pride open weight grand prix winner; most first-round finishes in Pride Fighting Championships history; tied for most finishes in Pride history; second most knockouts in Pride history; most head kick knockouts in Pride history; tied for second most wins in Pride history

CASE FOR: If we are being honest, Filipovic’s left leg alone has a more impressive portfolio than most heavyweight fighters. Add in the rest of the anatomy, and “Cro Cop” becomes one of the first names to come to mind when you think about the greatest heavyweights of all-time. Look no further than the freakishly high finish rate for the evidence. His tendency to punt opponents’ heads into the bleachers made him easily the most feared striker of his generation, and even in the twilight of his career, he had the goods to separate people from consciousness. His fearsome finishing ability was not all for naught, either: It culminated in a monstrous run to becoming the 2006 Pride Fighting Championships open weight grand prix winner. With several statistical records, a major championship and the best highlight reel in the game, this fan-favorite is a no-brainer for G.O.A.T. candidacy.

CASE AGAINST: There are 11 reasons why “Cro Cop” is not the Greatest of All-Time, and all but maybe one of them were complete and comprehensive enough to close the case on such a claim. Simply stated, the Croatian kickboxer has lost too many times to be considered the greatest, especially when accounting for the ways in which he lost, the most embarrassing of which being his title eliminator loss to Gonzaga via head kick. Though he would avenge the defeat eight years later, the karmic interference of that bout would forever change the trajectory of his career. It is also of note that his exceptional career in Pride -- infamously laissez faire regarding drug testing -- and the bust of his UFC introduction were less than a year apart. Mostly though, “Cro Cop” was third seat at best in Japan; his decisive losses to Antonio Nogueira and Fedor Emelianenko were ultimately too much to wear the G.O.A.T. title. Best head-kick artist of all-time? No doubt. However, that is where it ends.

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