VIDEO: Cro Cop hints at rematch with Fedor

Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic (Facebook)

It has been twenty years since one of the most memorable heavyweight MMA bouts in history, the legendary clash between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović and Fedor Emelianenko.

Two decades later, talk of a long-awaited rematch between the two icons is once again gathering momentum.

Speaking to Dnevnik Nova TV, Filipović confirmed that discussions for a potential exhibition boxing match with the Russian legend have taken place.

“To be honest, I was surprised by his announcement,” Filipović said.

“There were talks about a rematch roughly a year ago. His team reached out to Orsat Zovko, my friend who brought me back to Japan, and they wanted a boxing exhibition. Fedor said he couldn’t do MMA anymore due to injury concerns, so we began discussing a boxing bout.”

According to the former PRIDE champion, both sides agreed in principle earlier this year. Filipović signed his consent in February, but delays on Emelianenko’s side meant the venue options in Japan were lost.

“At the time, there were seven available arenas in Japan — from Saitama and Yokohama to the Tokyo Dome and others,” Filipović explained.

“But Fedor only signed in June, and by then all venues were booked. The first available arena in Japan is next August. We haven’t discussed when or where, but he said he wants a boxing match. If the opportunity arises, I see no reason not to.”

“I’m still training every day”

When asked about his health, especially after revealing he had suffered a stroke six and a half years ago, Filipović assured fans that he remains active and fit.

“After my retirement, I only rested for a few months before returning to training. I’m the main sparring partner for Matej Batinić and the other guys. I enjoy it. We even have a tough training session planned for tonight, that’s how I keep in shape.”

Now 51 years old, with Fedor 49, both men are well past their professional fighting primes. Still, Filipović insists he has been medically cleared for light competition.

“I go for regular check-ups twice a year. When talks about the match picked up, I had an MRI about 20 days ago, and everything looked fine,” he said.

“No professional sport is truly healthy, especially combat sports. Even light punches are trauma to the brain, but if you’re in good shape, you can handle it. I could easily do an exhibition bout.”

As for the details of the potential match, such as the number of rounds, their duration, and glove size, nothing has yet been decided.

“Nothing is known yet,” Filipović concluded. “But if everything aligns, it could happen.”