Mirko Filipović

Place: Vinkovci

Born: 1974

Death: 2019

Biography:

Mirko Filipović, also known as Mirko Cro Cop, is a Croatian former professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer and amateur boxer. He is mostly known for his time in Pride Fighting Championships. Cro Cop fought in the UFC, K-1, RIZIN and Bellator. He is widely considered one of the greatest Heavyweight Kickboxers and MMA fighters of all time. Cro Cop's signature move was his lightning-quick left high roundhouse kick, once famously described as 'right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery.' He was a successful amateur boxer and medalled numerous times in international competition, and was also a member of Croatia's world team when he competed at the 1997 Amateur Boxing World Championships. From 23 December 2003 until 11 January 2008 he served as a Member of the Croatian Parliament for the 1st electoral district. He was elected as an independent candidate on the list of the Social Democratic Party. On 1 March 2019, he announced his retirement for health reasons, specifically a stroke he suffered.