Mirko Filipovic Against Japanese Judoka Mizuno

After another fighter decided not to face Cro Cop in the ring, the DREAM organisation has found him a new opponent.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic is disappointed and flabbergasted with the fact that nobody wants to enter the ring with him, as he discovered Japanese Yoshihiro Nakao has quit as well.

Mirko`s first fight under the wings of the new DREAM organisation is still questionable. At first, his opponent was supposed to have been Ray Sefo, but he was notified too late and did not have enough time to prepare. Afterwards, Korean Dong Sik Yoon was mentioned, but it was officially announced that his rival will be Japanese Nakao, known as the Kiss, on March 15 at the Saitama Arena.

However, this fight will not take place either, according to initial reports, due to alleged threats to the Japanese fighter by the Japanese Yakuza, the notorious Mafia organisation, of all.

Yakuza Threatening Mirko’s Opponent?

His coach Takumi Yano wrote on his blog that Yakuha received threats, banning him to fight against Cro Cop. The possibility of the Japanese underground trying to destroy the DREAM organisation was not excluded, just like they have attempted to do with Pride.

DREAM heads have forwarded an open invitation to fighters who want to enter the ring with Mirko, and according to first information, his latest opponent should be Japanese judoka Tatsuya Mizuno, 185 cm tall and weighing 100 kilos.

- I don`t know what`s happening and why everyone id quitting, As to my knowledge, I will be fighting Japanese judoka Tatsuya Mizuno – Mirko told the Vecerni list daily.

Mizuno has six fights under his belt, 4 of which he came out a winner, adding 2 defeats. He seems to be an easy bite for the nervous and impatient Mirko, if he does not quit.

Who's next

Mirko did not wish to discuss his next opponent, just because he does not know much about the fighter-

- I'm not going to talk much about my fight. I had very limited information about my opponent so I'll just be my old self and get in there to knock my opponent out. I always enjoyed fighting in Japan and I really hope that DREAM will put up a good show –

Seeing how he has waited so ling to find out the name of his opponent at the Saitama Arena, Mirko does not even want to think about his next opponent.

- People keep asking me about my next opponent and I think it's not appropriate to discuss this before next week. Although I'll say that there's a possibility of facing some good fighters from K1 under MMA rules. But first things first, we'll see about that after Saturday – Mirko writes.

Mirko `Cro Cop` Filipovic To Undergo Elbow Surgery

Still, Filipovic cannot sit and wait for the fight on Saturday, he has trouble with his left elbow, but this should not bother him too much.

- For quite some time I've been having troubles with my left elbow. It's nothing too serious but I'm scheduled for a surgery later this month with Dr. Bojanic from the University Hospital Center „Salata“. A few weeks ago I received a major blow to my elbow during a sparring session, that caused a tiny hematoma inside. From what I hear from dr. Bojanic, this is a routine procedure and I'll restart my trainings a couple of days after surgery -