'CroCop' is big favorite in UFC debut

reviewjournal.com -- Sports - 'CroCop' is big favorite in UFC debut:

Croatian politician, former Pride fighter Filipovic wows fans

By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

"Mirko Filipovic the private citizen fulfilled a lifelong ambition in 2004 when he was elected to the Croatian parliament.

But he quickly grew disillusioned with the double-crossing and back-room wheeling and dealing of politics, and he's unsure if he'll seek a second four-year term in 2008.

But CroCop -- the nickname by which Filipovic is commonly known in the mixed martial arts world -- could be elected king of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, judging by the reaction he received from a small, vocal crowd Friday at the weigh-in for tonight's pay-per-view card at Mandalay Bay.

Filipovic, 32, will make his UFC debut after a lengthy career in the Pride Fighting Championship when he meets unbeaten but inexperienced Eddie Sanchez in a three-round non-title bout.

Filipovic, a 10-1 favorite, was given a hero's welcome as he was brought to the scale by UFC public address announcer Joe Rogan. CroCop T-shirts and signs were everywhere.

Filipovic didn't arrive in Las Vegas until Thursday, long after most of the other fighters on the nine-match card, because he had to attend a parliament session in Croatia.

Filipovic was a Croatian police officer on its anti-terrorism squad. He said he dreamed of entering the political process but had his eyes opened after becoming"