Confusion in Oz: Mirko is cut? No one wants to fight? (Update)
by Zak Woods on Feb 19, 2010 12:01 PM EST
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The last minute confusion for the UFC in Sydney, Australia is reaching a crescendo.
Yesterday UFC.com announced that Ben Rothwell was ill and wouldn't be able to fight Mirko Filipovic and a local fighter named Anthony Perosh will step in to face Filipovic. Today there are reports that Mirko actually suffered a cut while sparring (never a good sign), which required stitches. Apparently Filipovic refused to withdraw (there's no athletic commission to stop him...well, the UFC is suppose to run the international "commission") but then Rothwell withdrew with an illness.
Without an opponent for "Cro Cop" the UFC offered the fight to Randy Couture and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (I guess that means they are in country) and both declined. The UFC also offered the fight to Perosh who initially declined until he saw Dana White at the press conference complain about guys not stepping up.
“I actually said ‘no’ originally,” admits Perosh. “I look up to Cro Cop and he’s a fellow Croatian. My parents are Croatian and I’ve actually been training the other Croatians appearing on this UFC 110 card. “I then went and watched yesterday’s (Thursday) press conference and listened to the comment Dana White made about how many fighters actually turn down opportunities. That just made me realise what a big chance this was. How could I turn down the opportunity to fight on the main card at UFC 110 against one of the best guys in the world? Not only that, the fight takes place on the UFC’s first ever show in Australia. I quickly called Joe Silva back and said, ‘yeah – I’ll do it’.”
What is going on 'down under'?!
Next thing you know a dingo is going to eat someone's baby. Too soon? Hey, Seinfeld did it.
Update: Mirko does have a cut but it is small. No word on whether it required stitches.
Update #2: Rothwell had a stomach virus not a staph infection. Ben went to a hospital and received fluids though was unable to recover in time. While the rumor that Couture or Rampage were offered the fight, is still a rumor, we do know that the UFC offered Pat Barry the fight but he was unable to get his work via in order. Not to mention he had his own health issues as he is still recovering from a broken thumb.
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Craziness.
If true, I’m sure Dana will go on another rant of how the media is "stirring up negative shit’ again.
@fjbar on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
Wait a minute . . .
He asked Couture and Rampage?!? And he’s complaining about guys not stepping up?
- I really doubt Rampage trains regularly when he doesn’t have a scheduled fight.
- Couture does not want to eat any more leg kicks. See Gonzaga break his arm. See Brandon Vera almost break his ribs.
yes, some times I'm an old curmudgeon
I seriously doubt there were any real discussion about Page or Couture stepping in on such short notice against CC. As far as the cut goes, it all depends on how bad it is guys fight with bumps and bruises all the time it’s only lately that it appears some guys are looking for a way out of fights. Glad to see that CC is a guy who still wants to fight and knows that he has a chance to get at least one more highlight finish before his career ends.
You can’t blame Couture or Rampage. For fighters of their level, to take a fight on 2 days notice at a higher weight class against a guy who has nothing to lose, is extremely risky and could blow big money fights down the line (Franklin and Evans). Anthony Perosh has nothing to lose except the brain cells that are going to be killed on impact from one of those vintage Cro Cop head kicks.
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