UFC heavyweight fighter Frank Mir laughs during a workout at his gym Friday, Sept. 17, 2010. Mir defeated Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in the main event of UFC 119 on Sept. 25, 2010, in Indianapolis.
Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 | 11 p.m.
When Frank Mir heard that Mirko "Cro Crop" Filipovic had commented he likely wouldn't be fully prepared for their heavyweight fight at UFC 119 in Indianapolis, he figured one of two things was happening.
Either Filipovic was offering an early excuse in case he lost the fight — or the mixed-martial-arts veteran was trying to pull a fast one.
"There's a part of me, when I hear these things, that would not be surprised if it was a ruse," Mir said. "He's saying he's kind of old and this might be his last fight. That would be pretty smart to throw all that out there and see if you can catch me with my pants down.
"I hear what he's saying, but it's other people's job to listen to it. When they close the cage door I'll test it and find out for myself. There's no lying inside there."
To clarify, Filipovic later stated on a conference call he wasn't trying to make any excuses, but still admitted that filling in for the injured Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira this weekend will be a difficult task.
The 36-year-old fighter still was dealing with injuries from his previous fight against Pat Barry when the UFC called on him.
Filipovic says he accepted the fight as a favor to the organization and a gift to his fans — not because he actually wanted it.
"I will tell you honest," Filipovic said. "The UFC called me and asked me if I could do them a favor. Otherwise, I wouldn't do it. I was in the middle of my vacation with my family, but I feel a responsibility to UFC and to the fans.
"But I don't want to look for excuse in that, and it doesn't have to mean anything."
In the long run, Filipovic's comments might just be offering a closer look at the end of the MMA legend's illustrious career.
Admitting that getting back into a training camp after a tough fight at the age of 36 isn't so much an excuse as it is a simple fact of life.
Filipovic went on to say that any new injury at his age likely would spell the end.
"I always tell the people who ask me that any fight could be my last one," Filipovic said. "Any new injury would definitely take me out from the competition.
"In my age, it would be hard to start over again with rehabilitation, etc. But I will keep fighting as long as I feel good."
Whether it all was an insight into Filipovic's future in the sport or an attempt to get his opponent to let his guard down, Mir really couldn't care less.
Two guys are going to walk into the octagon Saturday at UFC 119 and only one is going to walk out a winner. Should it end up being Mir, no excuse is going to make it any less sweet.
"I'm starting to get used to the excuse thing," Mir said. "It seems like a disease in this sport. Everyone has something they want to cry about. To sit there and say, 'This is why I lost,' that's (expletive). You lost because the other guy beat you."
Quick Hits:
Believe it or not, Mir (13-5) never has faced another southpaw in his professional career until now.
The unfamiliarity he'll get with Filipovic (27-7-2), however, hasn't been a concern, as Mir says he's looking forward to testing new techniques against a similar-stance opponent.
"It was a pretty easy conversion," Mir said. "When both guys have their same foot forward, there's so much more technique you can use. The jabs nullify each other and the power shots are so far away and easy to see."
The greatest concern for Mir likely will be Filipovic's kicks, which he'll have to defend on three different levels.
Look for Mir to take away the kicks by closing the distance and working up close.
Without the worry of getting dominated in the clinch like he had against Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin, Mir should look comfortable when in close.
"I'm going to look to drive forward and pressure him," Mir said. "(Against Junior Dos Santos), he looked like he just said, 'Hey, I've had enough.' I just think he doesn't like ugly, aggressive fights."
Last Time Out:
Mir: First-round loss by TKO to Shane Carwin at UFC 111.
Filipovic: Third-round win by submission over Pat Barry at UFC 115.
The Lines: Mir, minus-280; Filipovic, plus-220
Final Words:
Mir: On Filipovic: "If we both enter the cage at 100 percent, he can't beat me. He doesn't possess the tools. He has a head kick and a left hand. I could sit here for two hours and describe all the ways I could end this fight.
Filipovic: On if he was making excuses: "I'm a grown-up man and I know what I can do and what I can not do. It's my problem, not Frank's. In case I lose the fight and somebody said I lost because I wasn't prepared enough — I don't' want to hear things like that."
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at LVSunFighting
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