Setanta.com previews and predicts the UFC 99 tussle between Mirko Cro Cop and Mostapha Al Turk.
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THE TALE OF THE TAPE
|
Mirko Cro Cop |
Mostapha Al Turk |
| Age |
34 |
35 |
| MMA record |
24-6-2-1NC |
6-4-0 |
| Height |
6ft 2 |
6ft 2 |
| Weight |
220 |
242 |
| Last opponent |
Cheick Kongo (L) |
Cheick Kongo (L) |
Make no mistake, the return of Mirko Cro Cop is bad news for every other heavyweight in The UFC.
He may be past it, as his form suggested during his last spell with the organisation, when he was decisioned by Cheick Kongo and had his head kicked off by Gabe Gonzaga.
He may be past it. But then again, he may not.
Two victories and a No Contest since backs up Cro Cop's claim that he has rediscovered his appetite. If that's true, we're in for a treat.
The former military man boasts a kicking game so lethal that Wanderlei Silva has never been the same since.
Cro Cop is also well-rounded enough to have taken the unofficial pound-for-pound king Feder Emilianenko to a decision.
Not many manage that.
But is he past it? And are we underestimating Mostapha Al Turk, who is rated highly enough by The UFC to be thrown in against Kongo and Cro Cop back to back?
Al Turk worked his way to the Cage Rage championship before signing with The UFC, and he combines a variety of powerful strikes with a well-versed submissions game to ensure he is a danger on any level.
However, Kongo dropped him with two bombs before pounding him out, and Cro Cop will be expected to do likewise.
EXPERT'S VIEW: Cro Cop is devastating. Unless we see a shadow of his former self, Al Turk can expect another painful night.
PREDICTION: Cro Cop KO