Cro Cop says he is disappointed with Fedor: 'Respect is gone'

F. Emelianenko. Photo: Strikeforce/Disclosure

Veteran Mirko Cro Cop revealed he was deeply disappointed with another MMA legend. The Croatian, who entered the ring at the beginning of November, did not like the attitude of Fedor Emelianenko during the event, held in Moscow, Russia.

Originally scheduled to face Fedor's brother, Aleksander, Cro Cop saw plans change after his rival was fired from the event accused of assault. Thus, the former PRIDE and UFC star faced Alexey Oleinik, but was submitted in the first round.

Cro Cop seemed uncomfortable with supposed criticisms made by the brothers after the fight. “I really respected and liked them both since I fought them in Japan, but now that respect is gone,” he said. “With regards to Aleksander, who caused a scandal by hitting a 63-year-old man, I will not make many comments, as it is because of people like him that our sport is often frowned upon. But Fedor was a big disappointment.”

The Croatian, who had a legendary fight against Fedor at PRIDE in 2005, stated that the Russian showed unusual behavior for his personality. “If Fedor fought in my city, I would visit him at the hotel, take him to dinner. If I had to say something to him, I would say it face to face. After all, we bled together in the Japanese rings and had a fight that many consider the best in the history of MMA. Not only did he not say hello to me before the fight, he made bad comments about me. That’s not the Fedor I knew,” he blurted.

“When he lost, it was hard for me. It was as if I had lost it myself – and it's this same man who says he doesn't know what keeps me fighting, that I'm out of shape. Everyone has the right to have an opinion, but it's my blood that I'm spilling and it's my problem how much longer I fight”, concluded the 39-year-old Croatian.

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