Recently retired, Cro Cop is the first athlete caught in the new UFC anti-doping investigation

M. Filipovic (photo) had his doping announced by USADA. Photo: Disclosure/UFC

This Tuesday (10), the MMA world was taken by surprise with the news that Mirko Cro Cop was withdrawing at the last minute from his fight at UFC Korea and, furthermore, that he was hanging up his gloves. However, Cro Cop's first day of retirement did not go as expected. The Ultimate organization released an official statement on Wednesday night (11) announcing that the legendary Croatian heavyweight had become the first athlete to be caught in the event's new anti-doping program, in partnership with USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency). ).

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“The UFC announced today that the fight between Mirko Cro Cop and Anthony Hamilton in South Korea has been cancelled. USADA has notified Mirko Cro Cop and the UFC that he is provisionally suspended due to a potential anti-doping policy violation. USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC's anti-doping policy, will send the results and information on the case to Cro Cop and information will be provided throughout the process,” said the statement released by the organization.

At 41 years old, Mirko Cro Cop has a professional record of 31 wins, 11 losses, two draws and one unsuccessful fight. On his return to the ring, in April this year, Cro Cop knocked out the Brazilian Gabriel Napao at UFC Poland. The Croatian made his mark mainly in Japanese events in the first half of the 2000s with his knockouts almost always achieved thanks to spectacular high kicks. In his long statement justifying his retirement, the fighter cited several physical problems that he has been dealing with, but did not mention any type of irregularity in drug tests.

Cro Crop's opponent at UFC Korea, Anthony Hamilton also had his future announced by the organization. The North American will have a new opponent confirmed in the coming days and the fight should be rescheduled for another event soon, other than the card in Seoul, which takes place on November 28th.

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