Who Is Mirko Cro Cop? Age, Biography and Wiki
Mirko Cro Cop, born on September 10, 1974, is a celebrated Croatian mixed martial artist, former kickboxer, and MMA fighter. With a career spanning decades, he has established a prominent presence in the world of combat sports. By 2025, Cro Cop is 51 years old and remains an influential figure in martial arts, known for his fearsome striking and impressive grappling skills. His storied career includes participation in organizations like PRIDE, UFC, and Bellator, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's history.
| Occupation | Martial Artist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 10, 1974 |
| Age | 50 Years |
| Birth Place | Vinkovci, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Croatia |
Popularity
Mirko Cro Cop's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing at 6 feet (183 cm) tall, Mirko Cro Cop is known for his athletic build, which includes a weight around 220 lbs (100 kg). His training has emphasized strength and conditioning, allowing him to perform at high levels throughout his career. As he ages, Cro Cop continues to maintain a rigorous training regimen, ensuring he stays in peak condition.
Cro Cop is the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion, the K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb Champion and the 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Champion becoming the second fighter in the world to win mixed martial arts and kickboxing championships and tournaments. He is also a former IGF Champion.
His nickname, Cro Cop, short for "Croatian Cop", comes from his employment in the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, Croatia's elite Police Special Forces tactical unit.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Mirko Cro Cop prefers to keep his personal life private. Previously married to a woman named Klaudija, the couple has two sons together. Currently, there is no information regarding a new girlfriend or romantic relationship. Known for his commitment to family, he often shares glimpses of his life as a father, emphasizing the importance of family ties in shaping his character.
He was raised in a working-class family with his sister, who is three years his senior. Mirko grew up training in track and field, namely the shorter distance events (100m, 200m, and 400m dashes).
After seeing Jean-Claude Van Damme's performance in the film Bloodsport, he began training in his parents' garage with his father's boxing equipment and weights.
His father, who worked as an electrician for a railway company, fashioned his son a crude but effective punching bag filled with sand and cotton, and would bring home track scraps for Mirko to use for weight training. Filipović began formal training in taekwondo at the age of 7 and later studied karate.
Net Worth and Salary
In 2025, Mirko Cro Cop's estimated net worth is around $10 million. His wealth primarily stems from his illustrious career as a fighter, various endorsement deals, and appearances in combat sports events. Despite retiring from professional fighting, Cro Cop remains an active participant in seminars, training camps, and commentary roles, contributing to his earnings.
In December 2006, rumors began to surface about Cro Cop entertaining offers from other mixed martial arts organizations; the Ultimate Fighting Championship was one of the promotions that Cro Cop confirmed came forward with an offer.
Rumors continued to circulate about Cro Cop's future with the Pride FC organization and media websites were reporting that Cro Cop had chosen the UFC for his future. It was announced during the pay-per-view of UFC 66 that Cro Cop indeed signed with the UFC.
Career, Business and Investments
Mirko Cro Cop began his professional fighting career in the late 1990s and quickly rose to fame thanks to his powerful striking and unique fighting style. Over the years, he has garnered multiple championship titles and accolades in various martial arts disciplines. In addition to his fighting career, Cro Cop has ventured into several business endeavors, including a gym in Croatia and training programs to promote martial arts. He has also been involved in investments and sponsorships, aiming to further cement his legacy in the sports world.
Filipović started his professional career in 1996 as a kickboxer, following in the footsteps of his compatriot Branko Cikatić. Before turning pro, he had accumulated an amateur boxing record of 48–8 (31 KO's).
He defeated Jérôme Le Banner in his debut, but after losing to Ernesto Hoost in his next match, he turned his attention back to boxing and his law enforcement career.
He had success in both areas as a three-time national amateur boxing champion and later joined the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit where he served for six years until he was elected to the Croatian Parliament. Filipović took part in the 1997 World Amateur Boxing Championships, losing his first round match-up against Olympic medalist Alexei Lezin.
At the time, he was working as a commando in the Croatian police anti-terrorist unit Alpha (stationed in Lučko near Zagreb), which earned him his nickname "Cro Cop". He fought several times early in his career under the nickname "Tigar" (Croatian for "tiger").
Social Network
Mirko Cro Cop is somewhat active on social media, particularly on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Fans can follow him for updates on his life, training routines, and thoughts on the fight game. Despite his public profile, he maintains a level of privacy regarding his personal interactions, choosing to share only select moments that resonate with his followers.
Many have cited the performances that night as Cro Cop's finest - leading Wanderlei Silva's trainer, Rudimar Federigo to say, "That was Mirko's day.
He fought two perfect fights and I believe even Fedor could lose to him on that night." Josh Barnett would later say - despite facing top fighters like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Randy Couture, Frank Mir and Andrei Arlovski - that Cro Cop was the best fighter he ever faced in his career.
Education
Cro Cop graduated with a degree in "Physical Education and Sport" from the University of Zagreb. His educational background has significantly influenced his approach to fitness and training, allowing him to integrate scientific principles into his martial arts practice. This knowledge not only benefits his career but also aids in teaching the next generation of fighters.
On 21 April 2007, Cro Cop faced Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70 in Manchester, United Kingdom to determine who would challenge reigning champion Randy Couture for the heavyweight title. In what was seen as an upset by many in the MMA world, Gonzaga won with a head kick knockout at 4:51 of the 1st round.
Cro Cop later said about the fight, "He hit me at least 10 or 15 times, clean shots to the head. It was a miracle that I didn't start bleeding. Maybe it would have been better for me if he had cut me, as the referee would stop the fight. But when we stood up I saw 3 opponents. I was finished already. I took too many shots to the head.
I was totally out of control. He threw a high kick, it landed on my head and that was it. But I'm a fighter and there's no shame in falling down, only not to rise again. But that's my life, you cannot win all the time. But of course the goal is that you must try [to always win]. It was my mistake. He did what he had to do.
He had his plan and he threw too many elbows and I lost the fight and that's it."
