Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic’s UFC return is over.

The Croatian star stopped Mostapha Al-Turk in the first round at UFC 99 on Saturday night in his first fight in the UFC since recording back-to-back losses in 2007.

UFC president Dana White was of the impression that Cro Cop would be staying for another two fights but was rocked by the news that the fighter has signed a three-fight deal with the Japan-based DREAM promotion.

White had signed Filipovic to a one-fight deal for the UFC’s first ever live event in Germany and said the former PRIDE star had committed to a further two fights.

Filipovic had insisted he was returning to the UFC looking to challenge top opposition and work his way into title contention.

His return to the company was largely to help sell tickets and one could argue that the UFC have achieved what they wanted from Cro Cop coming in for their debut in Germany.

But when asked about Cro Cop’s departure after Saturday’s show in Cologne, White said: “He ****ed 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 ****ed me.

“He didn’t keep his word. He talked about honor and all this other shit and he ****ed me.

Cro Cop won via stoppage referee Dan Miragliotta missed a poke to Al-Turk’s eye. He said the incident was an accident and would not have altered the outcome of the fight.

White added: “He fed me this bullshit about wanting to take a run for the title, and what I think he did was, he went out and did this. He turned down every other [expletive] fighter I offered him, because I needed him to fight Cain [Velasquez].

“He didn’t just poke Al-Turk; he poked me, too.”

Filipovic did not attend Saturday’s post-show press conference.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com