Mirko Filipović

Mirko Filipović – known as Cro Cop – was born on 10 September 1974 in Vinkovci, Croatia. One of the most feared strikers in combat sports history, he was renowned for his left high kick, which finished opponents with brutal efficiency. A former member of the Croatian anti-terrorist police (Luĉko unit) and later a Croatian Member of Parliament, Filipović brought a unique combination of elite athleticism and real-world toughness to combat sports. He was a two-time K-1 World Grand Prix finalist and won the PRIDE Fighting Championships Grand Prix heavyweight title in 2006 – the peak of his legendary career. His famous quote about his finishing weapon: “Right leg hospital, left leg cemetery.” After PRIDE, he competed in the UFC and later K-1 and Bellator, fighting at the highest level for over two decades. Cro Cop remains one of the most iconic figures in the history of both kickboxing and MMA.