Oops: CroCop Wins in Octagon, Signs with DREAM
By Josh Stein on Jun 14, 2009
For those who haven’t heard, there’s a little conspiracy story evolving out of UFC 99. The Japanese press outlet Nikkan Sports ran an article that says (for those who don’t read Japanese, I’m hinging this on other pieces I’ve read which have reliably translated things in the past) that Mirko “CroCop” Filipovic inked a deal with FEG (which runs DREAM) before trashing Mustapha Al-Turk at UFC 99. The piece ran on June 13th, while the UFC event didn’t start until the 14th (remember the time change).
Dana White showed some frustration on the issue, stating:
Isn’t that a dirty f*cking thing to do? He f*cked me. The first time in the history of the company I do one over the phone. He promised me a three-fight deal and he f*cked me.
I guess that Dana won’t do anymore contracting over the phone. CroCop’s return to DREAM, though, shouldn’t surprise anyone outside of Zuffa. As much as CroCop might be seen as establishing greatness in the UFC, he knows that his real fanbase is in Japan. Not to mention that CroCop’s management has been shady in the past (who could forget Ken Imai, and if you have forgotten him, ask Zach Arnold). Anyway, it’s an interesting twist, and does nothing good for the UFC heavyweight division, which seems to be a case study in Murphy’s Law at the moment.
Filed Under: MMA
Well from what I understand CroCop signed a one fight deal. Isn’t that correct? If that is the case, then Dana can’t really complain since you can say anything you want but what matters are those official contracts. Verbal promises don’t mean anything, so I think Dana is just using one of his typical win win situations he normally has as the promoter. If Cro Cop lost this fight, then Dana can say he isn’t interested in having him fight again and says CroCop should retire, regardless of the verbal agreement they had since they are not official. If CroCop wins then he will say he is ready to have CroCop fight again for the UFC and they can then start negotiating a multiple fight contract.
It all seems pretty shady in my opinion (on both sides). Sure Cro Cop on had a one fight verbal agreement, but it is assumed that if he wins, that he will continue to pursue the UFC title.
That being said, you know what they saying about assumption… This was perfect for Cro Cop and DREAM. They let the UFC promote him for this one fight, only to use it against them post fight.
I would have to say that Dana got out witted this time around.
John, it’s a fair point. What’s weird to me is that CroCop signed before the fight with al-Turk. If we found out tomorrow that he signed a contract today, then I’d be all for it, but it seems weird to step into a cage knowing that you’re going to desert the promoter. Obviously, nothing illegal about it, but it is kind of a weird situation.
Also, I agree that Dana got outwitted on this one, and that he was clearly trying to shaft CroCop with the one fight contract, so I’m not going to start yelling “oh poor Dana.”
while I think this sucks for the fans who would love to see Cro Cop in the UFC and back in prime forum I find it difficult to be too hard on him for signing a big contract with Pride after winning since I think it’s a pretty safe bet that no matter what the verbal agreement had he lost at UFC 99 the offer from the UFC would have disappeared
I myself have been critical of UFC contracts in the past. Still am critical of certain rumored clauses that may be in UFC contracts. Having said that doesn’t this in some way justify the UFC’s position with their contracts? If they didn’t lock the fighters up and protect themselves the way they do how many times would this have happened to them before? I mean the one time they don’t get an iron-clad contract they got taken advantage of.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t feel sorry for the UFC for getting duped if that be the case but this kind of makes the UFC’s case for having the contracts that they do.