UFC 128: Is MMA Legend Mirko Cro Cop Close To Retiring From UFC?

It took three well-fought rounds for prospect Brendan Schaub to knock out Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic last Saturday at UFC 128. Now after his second consecutive loss, he is 4-5 in the UFC.

Many people have speculated whether or not the 35-year-old Cro Cop will retire after his loss.

"I have all respect for Mirko "Cro Cop," but yeah, I'd have to say tonight is probably the last time we'll see Cro Cop fight again," UFC president Dana White told MMAjunkie.com after Cro Cop's UFC 128 loss.

Cro Cop has become a fan favorite since he won the Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix in 2006. Since then, Cro Cop's head kicks have been something his opponents have feared in the Octagon.

Cro Cop became even more famous for one of his sayings, "Right leg hospital, left leg cemetery."

But now it seems the legend that is Cro Cop will ride off into the sunset after his loss to Schaub.

“I feel as if someone stole something from me. I am disappointed with the outcome, but I congratulate Schaub and thank my fans for their support,” Cro Cop told a Croatian newspaper after his fight had ended. “It is clear that in this sport without hunger, desire and ambition there is no success, and it is clear also that I don’t have this in me anymore. [But] it seemed to me that I was [performing] better [than I have recently]...Ah, what am I talking about? If I was better, I'd have won."

Cro Cop does have one fight left on his contract with the UFC and could try to stick around, against Dana's wishes, and honor his last fight.

If Cro Cop does in fact retire, he leaves behind a tremendous legacy. Cro Cop has the second-most wins of any fighter in Pride history with 18, only behind another MMA legend, Wanderlei Silva, who has 23 wins.

Whatever Cro Cop decides to do, he has loyal fans who will be happy with whatever he decides to do.