“Right Kick, Hospital; Left Kick, Cemetery!”

Thats how this Croatian born, former Croatian Special Forces member and current Mixed Martial Arts fighter descrbes his legendary leg kicks.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovik (Cro Cop is his nickname, short for Croatian Cop) is one of the most feared heavyweights in mixed martial arts. It only takes one strike, whether it be from a right hook or a left kick the head, for Mirko to put his opponents to sleep. Mirko is a former Pride fighting Championship champion, as well as a K-1 kickboxing legend.

Whats interesting about Mirko is not his current fighting career, but how he got to where he is now.

Mirko started his career in law enforcement in his home country of Croatia. Not only was he an outstanding officer, he spent 7 years in an elite anti-terrorism group known as ATJ lucko(Later on, also serving on the Croatian Parliament, where he lobbied for a higher law enforcement budget). It was during his career in law enforcement that he got started in Kick boxing, where he had an outstanding amateur record of 40-5 with an unheard of 33 wins via knock out.

His transfer to professional status in 1996 was seemless as could be, winning 6 of his 8 first fights in less than 3 years. His kick boxing career culminated in 2003 with an 86 second, 1st round knock out of fighting giant, Bob Sapp.

Crop Cop then diverted his full training attention to MMA, where he’d already fought several times while simultaneously training for K-1 Kickboxing. Pride fighting championship was his new home and the fans loved his style. After several successful years in Pride, an up and coming fighting company out of the USA purchased the rights to Pride and disbanded the league. You may know this company as the UFC.  UFC president, Dana White, invited Cro Cop to fight in the UFC and even signed him to a 2 year, 6 fight contract. Unfortunatly, his second fight in the UFC was devastating to his career as he was defeated, Ironically, by a strong right leg kick to the neck by Gabriel Gonzaga.

After another unscuccessful fight in the UFC, Mirko returned to his self proclaimed “second home”, Japan, to fight for an up and coming company known as Dream. Mirko eventually successfully returned to the UFC cage and is currently in the process of working out a 2 fight deal with the UFC.

Mirko’s story is one of hard work, self sacrefice and dedication to not only the sport of fighting, but love of country as well. Heros like Mirko are all around us and should be celebrated for their talent and selfless service to country and community.

Keep checking back for more Spotlights on Athletic Heros.

PS. If you want to train like the best, be sure to check out the controversial Ebook Maximize Your PT

Just sign up in the little box to your right hand side and you will be emailed your copy of my Ebook totally free.

Unfortunately for you, after tonight it goes back to full price of $19.97. This is my way to thank you for supporting me throughout the last year and a half.

Dont wait, though. Im not sure when ill feel this generous again, if ever

Here it is fall, 2009. Combatfitnessblog.com(formerly traintostandard) has been alive for over a year now and we’ve covered everything from pushups to powerlifting. As athletes and professionals, we must remain within a standard for our respective service, but also remember that we are humans as well. Not only humans, but men and women who strive to be better than the rest. This is why we lift heavy weights that society sees as outlandish, or run 10 miles every other day.

Hell, most Americans get tired just DRIVING 10 miles.

But we do it, and do it DAMN good too.  On my first post back from the summer break, im introducing you to someone who you probably already know.

Derek Poundstone. 

You may know that hes America strongest man, runner up for the 2008 WORLDS strongest man and just an all around animal when it comes to training. You may NOT know something thats just as important to him as strongman and strength training.

In his home town, Hes known as OFFICER Derek Poundstone.

Yes thats right, Derek, Standing at a svelte 6′1″ 315lbs, is an active police officer in Naugatuck, CT. Not only does he train constantly to become THE best in his respective sport, he spends countless hours a week keeping the streets safe from criminals. The respect he gets in the strength world should be nothing in comparison to the respect he should receive for answering the call to duty. 

Derek is training for the 2009 Worlds Strongest Man competition, held this year in Malta this year. He is a heavy favorite to finally take the crown from 5 time champion, Polands Mariusz Pudzianowski(who was featured in July). Enjoy this video of Poundstone pulling a local firetruck, training for the “Airplane Pull” he has in this years competition.

Hey guys,

Ive taken a little vacation from posting here after my show. I was a little disappointed with my standings in the last show… not my performance. I had the best performance of my career in july. Unfortunately, somethings which were out of my control factored in. If nothing, it was a great experience and a life lesson for the future.

I will be returning to regular postings in the next few weeks, so get ready for regular content and guest posters in the military and general fitness industry.

See you guys soon,
Donnie