For all great knockout artists in combat sports, mystique and the intimidation factor are almost as important as the punch or kick that puts an opponent down and out. Lose that, and you’re suddenly human again.

In 2007, Mirko Cro Cop was human.

The year started out well enough for the Croatian, who entered the UFC to much fanfare after winning the PRIDE Grand Prix in 2006 with two wins in one night over Wanderlei Silva and Josh Barnett. At UFC 67 in February of 2007, Cro Cop stopped Eddie Sanchez in a single round, but didn’t look to be the same ferocious striker he was in Japan. Two months later, he was knocked out by Gabriel Gonzaga, and in September of that year, he was listless in losing a three round decision to Cheick Kongo.

I just think I wasn’t the full Mirko Cro Cop that I used to be, said Cro Cop during a media teleconference earlier this week. I don’t know the reason, I spent so many times thinking about it, and maybe I was just empty right after I won the PRIDE Grand Prix. I don’t know, maybe I wasn’t adapted to fighting in the cage, maybe I wasn’t hungry enough. I just couldn’t smell the blood like I did in my previous fights and it reflects in my passive fights.

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