Mirko Cro Cop: Why the Legend Shouldn't Be Ashamed After UFC 137 Results

After two straight losses in matchups with Frank Mir and Brendan Schaub, 37-year-old Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic wanted to give it one last try at UFC 137 Saturday.

He wanted to show against Roy "Big Country" Nelson that this may be his last fight in the UFC, but there were still traces of the old Cro Cop ingrained within.

Well, the old Cro Cop appeared for about a round on Saturday, but eventually we found out what we knew all along: that Cro Cop was simply too old.

Nelson used a heavy chin, powerful punches and flattening takedowns to score a TKO versus Cro Cop in Round 3 Saturday, and it was the old Big Country we saw instead.

After the fight, Cro Cop apologized to the fans and the UFC. From MMA Weekly:

"

I told before this fight this was going to be my farewell fight. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it. I wanted to say goodbye with a victory, but Roy was just better tonight. Congratulations.

"

Cro Cop was clearly remorseful as he addressed his adoring fans in Las Vegas after the fight, knowing this was not the way a legend is supposed to end his career.

But Cro Cop shouldn't be ashamed of his performance, nor of his desire to give it one last go. He fought a better Roy Nelson on Saturday, who showed a well-rounded game and took many heavy shots from Cro Cop that would have sent lesser foes down to their knees.

There's always the argument that taking one last fight does nothing but taint a legacy when you know it's more likely to end badly than not. But I don't agree. Cro Cop is a legend not only because he's extremely dedicated to the sport, but because he loves the sport.

Someone of his caliber doesn't know the definition of quit, which is why outsiders can never understand. A fighter of his caliber has a connection with the sport that will never die.

Said Cro Cop a week before the fight (via Sports Illustrated): "I want to retire as the old 'Cro Cop.' I don't know if I will be able to do it, but I will die trying."

How can you criticize someone for that kind of determination?

Cro Cop should be proud of his effort on Saturday, as should the rest of MMA nation.