Mirko Crocop Interview - Confirms September Fight

Mirko Crocop vs Alistair Overeem (official now!)

With rumors swirling that DREAM could be in trouble without high ratings for their sixth card set for September 23rd at Saitama Super Arena, the promotion is bringing out the big guns to try to get people to watch.
The long-awaited grudge match between Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Alistair Overeem will finally happen at DREAM 6 as the bout was officially announced today, along with the return of former PRIDE star Sergei Kharitonov.
Overeem and Cro Cop have engaged in a very public feud for many months now, with Overeem accusing Mirko of ducking a fight with him and Mirko suggesting that perhaps Overeem should do more talking with his fists and less with his mouth. It's a heavyweight grudge match that fans have been clamoring to see for some time and it will happen September 23rd.
As for Kharitonov, who is making his return to MMA competition after an absence of almost a full year, he will be facing off against K-1 kickboxing standout Siala "Mighty Mo" Siligia, in another heavyweight matchup that will provide plenty of firepower to a card that sorely needs to be exciting. Kharitonov was a favorite of Japanese fans in PRIDE and Mighty Mo is one of the most popular K-1 fighters in the country, so matching them together was a very savvy move to get people to tune in.
The rest of the DREAM card will feature bouts from the close of the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix, which will have their semi-finals and finals contested. An alternate bout for the tournament will also be fought. The final four in the Middleweight Grand Prix are Gegard Mousasi, who will face Melvin Manhoef in one semi-final match, and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, who faces Croatian striking sensation Zelg Galesic in the other semi-final.

Previous news
The Croation News site Dnevnik.hr is reporting that Mirko Filipovic will indeed be facing off against Alistair Overeem on Sept. 23 at DREAM.6. The report contends that DREAM officials have confirmed the match up as well.

Mirko Crocop Interview

When asked how is knee is after surgery and with current training:
My knee is excellent (after surgery). I dont have any problems. I am in good shape and I am preparing for my next fight which will happen on 23th September for sure.

When asked where and who he is training with, Mirko had this today:
"Today I am going to Amsterdam where I will be preparing with Remy Bonjasky and Ivan Hyppolite. I trained in Zagreb with Dean Lister who is one of the best grapplers. It wasnt just preparation for this fight, its allways good to have that kind of sparing partner."

When asked who he would like to fight at DREAM.6, Mirko had this to say:
"It isnt still confirmed, but I would like to fight vs Overeem. I really dont know why he said that kind of statements. I was never choosing my opponents. That kind of conversation is not my style but I would like to say to him to save his strength for ring, not for talking. I really want this fight.

When asked about his thoughts on overeem, Mirko said the following:
"He is good fighter, excellent puncher, and also good in parter. He had 93 kg and he jumped to 108 kilos and with his 196 centimeters he really looks impressive. But weight is always a two-edged sword."

Overeem/CroCop Confirmed for DREAM 6

[Aug 31, 2008], Randy Harrison
The long-rumored, heavily anticipated fight between heavyweight strikers Alistair Overeem and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic appears to be on and set for DREAM 6 on September 23 in Saitima, Japan, according to a statement made by Overeem.
"The fight is definitely happening, and I'm really glad. I am already training very hard, and I'm 100 percent certain that it will not go the distance. I don't care if it is going to be by knockout or by submission, I don't want the fight to go to a judges' decision. I want to finish Mirko Cro Cop."
Bad blood has permeated the war of words between both men as insults have been hurled back and forth after Overeem accused Filipovic of ducking him in their careers.