Cro Cop was almost deported before his UFC 115 bout.
Posted on June 15, 2010, 06:55 AM by Rory KernaghanWe saw shades of the Mirko of the old Pride days in the last round of his bout against now 5-2 Pat Barry, but it was almost the fight that never happened. According to Figjters Only Cro Cop was held at the airport upon his arrival to Canada and questioned extensively about his military background. He was also asked if he had ever been part of a torture interrogation used to extract info from Yugoslav civilians during the civil war in the early 90's. Mirko had this to say;
"The first day I was kept for four hours and two more the next day. Although they were not satisfied with my answers they let me go to the hotel in the city, to sleep. They asked me to think about the questions raised. I was threatened with deportation, but appealed to the Croatian Embassy. The Consul was urgently flown in from Ottawa, and the UFC hired the best lawyer for immigration issues,” Filipovic related to Net.hr in Croatia. “They obviously knew what would happen because my lawyer was on the runway at the airport! The inquiry was painful for me, but I must say that the Immigration Bureau officials very correctly performed their job. They used what they have to, but there are obviously very interested in the military and police matters from the former Yugoslavia......They were asking for details of my activities in Lucko ATJ [anti-terrorist unit] which I joined a few years after the war. They gave me a list of names for me to confirm, but I did not do it. I can not confirm one name because it is still a matter of dignity and principles. I said to myself, ‘If it comes to it I am ready to go home‘. They could have done what they wanted with me but [in the end] they let me fight."
So Mirko went on to win in impressive fashion after a stressful situation at the airport, but now rumors of retirement are circulating so who knows what the future holds for the high-kicking croatian legend.
Comments
Mirko is the man, I thought the fight against Barry was a good one, I hope he doesnt retire just yet
Wow. That's a crazy story! I'm glad the fight happened. If it didn't, some people would have found a way to say Mirko was ducking the fight with Barry haha.
He could have said calmly..."My finishing move is kicking guys (who stand in my way) in the head...as an anti terrorist cop and as a fighter" "Do you want to stand in my way?"
Yet another reason to laugh at Canada...do they know they're America's attic?
@ Spider Silva, Not all American's are A55holes so I won't be drawn into your stupid conversation.
Mirko himself said the interrogation was appropriate. Besides, with all the countries in the world that America has offended...your own security is the tightest in the world. Vistor's can barely get in or out.
Sounds to me like you're still sore because we kicked your A55 at Olympic hockey.
Stupid rhetoric like this is hardly worth a response. I'm with BL on this one, being drawn in to roll around in the mud with an idiot is not wise.
Bruce you Canadian?
Well you start by saying you wont insult America, but then you do anyway.... Its not our fault that religious fanatics hijacked our airplanes and flew them into our buildings.... JUST because we do not believe in their religion. It could have just as easily been your country!! We are just the big target because we are considered the best and most prosperous..... Now take a second and imagine that it was in fact your country.... Who in the hell do you think would have been the FIRST nation to come to your aid?? Ok then bud. A lot of countries, and at this point I am no longer talking about Canada, but a LOT of countries have been bailed out by the U.S. and still have citizens who bad mouth our nation. Then there are countries we have not bailed out YET, but as I said, if it were your country that was attacked, America would have jumped in to get your back with guns blazin'!! Which with that said, I wish we wouldnt do anymore because people are by nature unappreciative and selfish. In the end, it costs us money and people continue to be disrespectful....
@Japanegro23. Yup, am Canadian.
@ StickinUrCheck. You are mistaken. I didn't say I wouldn't insult Americans. I said I wouldn't be drawn into his conversation. i.e. I don't plan to respond to him any further. Since you have always seemed like a good guy I am happy to chat with you.
Some of what you say is true. America has jumped in to help others. Unfortunately, they have also jumped in where they weren't wanted as well Canada has also jumped in to help at times.
We were in WW II long before the Americans. The US invaded Afghanastan and then left to attack Iraq and we took over Afghanastan for you for several years. In addition, four years before you were born and two years after I finished high school (1979) Canadian embassy staff in Iran risked their own lives to hide and then sneak 6 US dimplomats out of Iran during the Iran hostage crisis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_caper) .
Canadians have been in countless peace keeping missions around the world. Also, Canada's DART team ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster_Assistance_Response_Team) is at every disaster such as Haiti and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Lets face it, Stiickin, we both live in great countries. The truth is though, sometimes, some Americans come across as arrogant. @SpiderSilva, unfortunately, had to shoot his mouth off to illustrate this notion.
Kind regards to our brothers to the south.
I thought Canada was America's hat?
You guys are so good at everything. That is why we Canadians like to mention the Olympic hockey thing every chance we get!! ;-)