2016 was a year that saw some legends and veterans of MMA take a bow and retire from the sport, from the likes of Urijah Faber to Miesha Tate and even Conor McGregor (which he backtracked on shortly after)

But one fighter still determined to fight father time is heavyweight legend Mirko Cro Cop, who made a triumphant return to Japan for the Rizin organisation and entered into their Open Weight Grand Prix.

After defeating MMA novice Hyun Mang Myung via arm-triangle in the first round September, Cro Cop then advanced to take on former Strikeforce Light heavyweight champ King Mo Lawal on December 29th who he proceeded to TKO at 1:21 of the second round.

Two days later on New Years Eve Cro Cop then found himself taking on the 400lb Estonian Sumo Wrestler Baruto Kaito, putting him away with a knee to the body onroute to the finals of the Grand Prix.

Check out Cro Cop vs Baruto fight below.

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Mirko Filipović (born 10 September 1974) is a Croatian heavyweight mixed martial artist, kickboxer, boxer, politician, and law enforcement officer.

Filipović is the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion and the 2012 K-1 World 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, and is the 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Champion His nickname, Cro Cop, short for “Croatian Cop”, comes from his membership in the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, Croatia’s elite Police Special Forces tactical unit.

Filipović’s signature move was his lightning quick left head-kick, once famously described as “right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery.” He was a successful amateur boxer and medalled numerous times in international competition, and was also a member of Croatia’s world team when he competed at the 1997 Amateur Boxing World Championships. [source : wiki]