Report: Croatian News Site Says 'Cro Cop' Injured, Mir Fight In Jeopardy

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic file photo: Sherdog.com

According to major Croatian news portal Index.hr, Saturday’s UFC 119 headliner between Frank Mir and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic could be in serious jeopardy. However, sources close to the bout say the report is without merit and that the bout will take place as planned.

"Cro cop is fine. Rumor is not true," UFC President Dana White posted to his Twitter account on Friday.

Croatia’s largest and one of its most accredited news sites states that the native kickboxer, who turned 36 a week ago, sustained a severe eye injury during his final sparring session on Friday. “Cro Cop” has been preparing for the Mir bout with regular training partners Igor Kolakusic, Ivan Hippolyte and Dean Lister in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Index.hr report also states that Filipovic had already consulted several eye specialists in his home country but was unable to obtain their clearance to fight. The popular knockout artist is scheduled to depart for Indianapolis this Sunday before squaring off against Mir on Sept. 25 at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Nokaut.com, an MMA news site with strong ties to Filipovic, called the report false, and said it has training footage of the Croatian's final training session with no hint of an injury having transpired.

“Cro Cop” had only replaced fellow Pride Fighting Championships superstar Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira as Mir’s opponent a month ago.

This item was updated at 4:02 p.m. ET to add information reported by Nokaut.com and White's Twitter account.