Mirko's head literally collided with Gonzaga's Right High Kick. Mirko actually walked into the impact of the kick that rocked Manchester England and was heard around the world. Is this a fluke, I mean, did Mirko just get caught? Or is it the flawless execution of the perfect game plan? Is Gabriel Gonzaga that good to replace Mirko in the roster?
The Game Plan that beat the Best
In an interview with Gabriel Gonzaga, “My team, Team Link, studied his game thoroughly and my coaches extracted the very best from me. I am in the best of my shape and I am going for a knockout.” Indeed, study is what they did. What is Mirko’s greatest weapon that has struck fear in the eyes of competition? The Lightning Left Kick to the head or even to the liver or leg could finish the night for most fighters. Gonzaga responded in the opening bell by circling away the left leg of Mirko. This means lesser impact on the Mirko’s signature move. It was not enough, earlier comment of UFC Champ Randy Couture that the key to fighting Mirko is not to wait but to put the pressure on him. When Mirko connected with the liver kick, Gonzaga took the shot (with lesser impact) and gotten the takedown. Mirko, who is new to elbows in the ground and getting rammed to the fence was in a world of hurt.
The Kick that Rocked
Mirko was cut in the hairline by being subject to the elbow onslaught of the tough Brazilian. Surprisingly, Referee Herb Dean stands up the fighters. The crowd roars in anticipation of that Left High Kick from the Croatian Sensation. Gonzaga sticks to the plan and circles away the Lead Foot of Mirko. Mirko chases him to set up the famous kick, then, Boom! A right high kic
k from nowhere collides with the head of Mirko. Gonzaga, positioned on the left side of Mirko, which gives better leverage for the kick that, was taken out of Mirko’s book. Mirko was chasing to get position but he inadvertently walks into the kick. Hitting a stationary target spells disaster, but to smash the shot and the target with an ungodly angle multiplies the shot a hundred fold.
Instantaneously, Mirko was out cold on his feet as he came crashing to the ground, his leg was badly twisted on the way down. Gonzaga blasts with a couple of shots as Mirko laid out cold.
The Future Awaits
The bout was suppose to solidify Mirko Crocop as the Number One contender for the UFC Heavyweight Belt of Legendary Randy Couture. Seems that, the tides have turned, for the betterment of Gabriel Gonzaga. Gabriel Gonzaga’s win is as good as his next matches as the world will watch closer. To reach the top is one thing and staying there is another. As for Mirko, we could all hope that the story of Cro Cop does not end here.
