Background of the Fight
Cro Cop vs. Nogueira 2 was a highly anticipated fight in the world of mixed martial arts. It was a rematch between two of the most dominant fighters in the history of the sport. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, a Croatian kickboxer turned MMA fighter, and Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, were set to clash once again in the octagon.
Statistics and Records
Before the fight, both fighters had impressive records. Cro Cop had a professional MMA record of 24-6-2, with 21 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Nogueira, on the other hand, had an equally impressive record of 35-8, with 20 of his wins coming by submission.
| Fighter | Record | Knockouts | Submissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic | 24-6-2 | 21 | 0 |
| Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira | 35-8 | 0 | 20 |
Stance and Style
Cro Cop was known for his striking prowess, particularly his lethal high kicks. He had a reputation for being one of the best strikers in MMA history. Nogueira, on the other hand, was a master of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling. He was also a formidable striker, but his primary focus was on taking his opponents to the ground and submitting them.
The Fight
The fight took place on June 5, 2010, at the UFC 114 event in Las Vegas, Nevada. The opening round was a showcase of both fighters’ skills. Cro Cop landed several powerful kicks, but Nogueira was able to absorb the shots and counter with his own striking. The round ended with both fighters looking exhausted.
In the second round, Cro Cop landed a series of powerful knees that wobbled Nogueira. However, Nogueira was able to recover and take Cro Cop down. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist worked for a submission, but Cro Cop was able to escape and return to his feet.
The third round was a back-and-forth affair. Both fighters traded punches and kicks, with Cro Cop landing a series of head kicks that seemed to hurt Nogueira. However, Nogueira was able to weather the storm and continue to fight back.
As the fight went on, it became clear that neither fighter was going to submit the other. The judges scored the fight 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28 in favor of Cro Cop, giving him the win by split decision.
Aftermath
After the fight, both fighters were respectful of each other’s skills. Cro Cop praised Nogueira for his resilience and ability to absorb punishment. Nogueira, in turn, complimented Cro Cop for his striking and ability to adapt to the fight.
The fight was hailed as one of the best in MMA history, and it cemented the legacies of both fighters. Cro Cop and Nogueira would go on to have successful careers in MMA, with Cro Cop eventually retiring in 2014 and Nogueira continuing to compete until 2016.