Mirko Filipovik Vs Jerome LeBanner at upcoming Dream event

**chi-conspiricy** · Posted On: 5/18/2008 1:26am

From http://www.mma-id.com/MMA-ID%20PR/?m...=6141&blid=465

As many of you who are following Dream are aware, Crocop will face Lebanner in Dream 4.
Obviously Le Banner is lacking in MMA records (3w 1L), but having stayed in k1, and kicking ass the whole while, I see no way that Mirko will be able to successfully put him away without some extremely mediocre groundwork.

Crocop nuthuggers screaming "LHK!" aside, Does anyone think that Mirko can stand with LeBanner anymore? If Mirko plans to stand, I'm going with the guy who ko'd Hoost twice, knocked down Goodridge with a JAB, won three out of four wars against Mark Hunt, and just generally kicked ass among the k1 elite. Hopefully at least, as the alternative will likely be Mirko winning in a performance a la Crocop vs Kongo, which would suck.

**Kintanon** · Posted On: 5/18/2008 1:54am

I would love to see Crocop come out smashing and pull it off in spectacular fashion against LeBanner, but honestly I can't imagine it really happening. LeBanner by KO in the first.

**Odacon** · Posted On: 5/18/2008 7:38am

Cro Cop needs someone to knock the rust off him, and LeBanner will certainly oblige.

**sashimi_style** · Posted On: 5/18/2008 8:22am

I would be VERY suprised if this match didn't kick totall ass. I don't think CroCop is willing enough to change his ways and attempt some grappling. What IS interesting, however, is the possibilites raised extended periods in the clinch as opposed to a K1 fight. Neither fighter being known for his knees; and yet have a groundless gut feeling that CroCop might go for it.

give'em hell, Mirko.

**hoodedmonk** · Posted On: 5/18/2008 11:26am

Mirko by submission.

**G-Off** · Posted On: 5/18/2008 12:43pm

LeBanner by KO, 2nd half of round 1. Left straight to Mirko's suspect chin.

**Draven** · Posted On: 5/18/2008 1:30pm

Cro Cop beat LeBanner under K-1 rules, but that was a long time ago. Right now, Cro Cops kickboxing is not near the level it was back then. There were reports of him and Bonjanski (a guy Cro Cop destroyed once in K-1) training together and during sparring sessions Bonjanski clowned him. Mirko has also been looking really, really bad lately. Its almost as if he has lost his fire, the aggression he was known for in the past. He cant stand up with LeBanner in these days, I dont see that going well for him.

This match will be determined on one thing. Cro Cops ego; will he attempt to stand with LeBanner and beat him like he once did in the past...or will he use his other MMA weapons that he has picked up in the last couple of years?

I hope he learned from his mistake against Hunt and finds a way to win this fight.