After winning the Rizin 2016 Openweight Grand Prix, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic has (once again) announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.
Cro Cop announced the news during an interview with Nova TV on Tuesday night.
“That was definitely my last tournament. I have health problems and this is definitely the end of my career,” said Cro Cop.
This isn’t the first time the 42-year-old has announced he would be calling it a day. The Croatian star claimed he would hang up his gloves following a flagged USADA doping violation in November 2015, which saw him suspended for two years.
One of the top stars during the prime days of PRIDE Fighting Championship, the 2006 PRIDE Openweight champion clarified that this time his retirement expressed finality to his accomplished martial arts career.
The K-1, PRIDE and UFC veteran bowed out on top, defeating King Mo, Baruto and Amir Aliakbari to become the Rizin 2016 Champion of Champions.
Despite his retirement, the Heavyweight legend affirmed he will stay involved in sport in some capacity and even remains open to one final contest in front of the Japanese fans.
