Bodog Beat

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic has left the UFC for "Dream", a new Japanese organization. (AP Images)

Mixed martial arts super-striker Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (22-6-2) was present in Japan recently for the unveiling of a new fighting organization.

The new promotion, called "Dream," is a collaboration between Fight Entertainment Group and former staff members of Dream Stage Entertainment, the organization which was behind the Pride Fighting Championships before it was purchased by the owners of the UFC. The event, which kicks off on March 15 with a lightweight tournament, will replace FEG's K-1 Hero's event.

Names in the tournament include Shinya Aoki (12-2-0), Gesias “J.Z.” Calvancante (14-1-1), Tatsuya Kawajiri(20-4-2) Caol Uno (24-10-4), Joachim Hansen (16-6-1) and Gilbert Melendez(13-1-0) among others.

Although "Cro Cop" was in attendance and announced his participation in the new organization, promoters did not announce when Filipovic would make his debut – although they hoped he would be able to fight on the March 15 show. After winning the Pride heavyweight tournament in 2006, "Cro Cop" went 1-2 in the UFC, losing to Gabriel Gonzaga (8-3-0) and Cheick Kongo (11-3-1).

Speaking at the press conference, Filipovic assured the media that his new-found home has nothing to do with his poor performance in the octagon. "I had a bad period in my last two fights, which I'd lost in the UFC," he said. "I don't want anyone to think that I'm running away from the UFC, but I was thinking a lot about how to continue with my career, and I think in this moment, I think Dream is the right place for me. But of course, one day I'll be back in the UFC to show that it was just a bad period for me. Now I'm fully recovered, physically and mentally, most important mentally."

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