Roy Nelson 2.0 succeeds, Cro Cop retires after loss.

Well, that was a Co-main event worthy bout. White didn't like him performing that bad in the co-main event against Mir. It seems that Nelson has learned his lesson from those statements. He came up with a smaller belly, added some muscle and he has a lot better shape now. He improved his cardio and he was faster. 


The first round started with exchanging of shots of both heavyweights. Nelson managed a successfull takedown in the first round. Nothing more actually happened in the first round. 


In the second round Cro Cop pushed the phase and caught Nelson connecting a huge combo of beautiful punches, uppercuts and some great body shots. Nelson in my opinion has the best chin over all heavyweights. I wasn't expecting him to fall or lose   consciousness, and it happened that way. He survived. The guy can take best of Mir, Dos Santos and many other heaviest hitters. Now Cro Cop added to the list of who failed to finish him. Per contra his face was bloodied badly after those devastating shots. Later in the round Nelson put Cro Cop in a crucifix position on the mat. He was almost finishing him with the punches using the positions advantage. Mirko survived and round was over. 


In the third round Nelson caught Mirko with heavy bomb like punches resulting him slip on the mat. Nelson very quickly took the side control firstly and rotated his body and got over him  from behind starting to punish with the sledge hammer like shots. Mirko didn't survive these bombs resulting the inevitable referee stoppage. 

Nelson in the post fight interview with Joe Rogan stated: “Everybody give it up for Cro Cop, he’s given us in MMA as a fighter, as a fan, so much. It was awesome to compete with a legend.”

He also must have liked what Sonnen did in the last event. :) He is a funny guy. 

“I guess I’m going to do a Chael Sonnen right now, I’m supposed to call out somebody,” Nelson stated. “Who’s fighting in a couple weeks? I think Junior (Dos Santos) and (Cain) Velasquez. I want the championship, I’m getting too old for this (expletive) so I kind of want to hurry this (expletive) up. So that’s who I want.”

Unfortunately for Mirko he finished his career with a 3 fight loss streak. In the after fight review with Joe Rogan he stated: 


“I told before this fight this was going to be my farewell fight. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it. I wanted to say goodbye with a victory, but Roy was just better tonight. Congratulations....” 


He also apologized for it. But there was no apology needed after such a huge career. Mirko Cro Cop was a legend and we will always remember him "Right leg hospital, left leg cemetery" 


Long live Legend. Thanks for what you have done for the sport!