Can Cro cop really blame the new rules for his performance?

[Pitfighting_pitbull]

What do y'all think?
I just dont think he has ever hesitated to throw strikes before.:confused:

[Ghosted3]

CC has a few problems with the UFC. 1) its an octagon, so he can't get people cornered and work them. 2) the octagon is larger than the ring so its easier for opponents to keep moving. One can't really use the elbows excuse for the Kongo fight, he was just the better fighter on Sat. CC looked a bit gun shy.

[Tom Gavrilos]

I just dont think he has ever hesitated to throw strikes before

Only time Ive really seen him backing up was Fedor.
It wasnt his size since CC has fought Sapp Before.

I think he just kept CC at distance with that jab + landed some PAINFUL body shots and knees. CC never landed anything significant so he kept getting backed up and thats the begining of the end for CC.

As weird as this sounds I think in this case CC should have stayed on the ground. Its the only place he seemed to have the advantage which is all backwards!

I truly think CC is the better fighter and that after he adjusts more and gets some confdence with a win things will turn around for him/

[Tallsilkyslim]

Having over 50 dvds of Pride ive seen almost if not all of CC fights in Pride. Not one time where he starts backing up does he win. If anyone has seen the Pride fight Shockwave 2005 remembers when Mirko decided to ride his bike the entire time with Mark Hunt. When hes faced with an extremely tough and aggresive striker he gets really timid. I almost cry every time he loses so im not being biased. I think hes a great fighter but needs to stick with what made him the open weight champ and thats hardcore striking.

[Fox1s2]

I noticed he was a bit gun gun after he got hit really hard in the groin...twice, and then taking all those body shots, he never felt comfortable in the blinch anymore.

[Ghosted3]

Check out the fight again, CC was gun shy after he got hit the first time. He may have continued to chase, but he wasnt throwing anything. He did more work on the ground then he did standing. Interview on another site said he broke his ribs in the first. I am not sure how much truth there is to that, and I'm sure the groin shots took some out of him. As much as I hate to say it I feel that he is just there for the check and ready to retire (not fighter bashing btw I dig CC).

[thehurricane28]

In my opinion it looks like CC has just stopped trying... don't get me wrong CC is one of my fav fighters but he has already said that after his contract with the UFC is done he's going to retire.... so he may just be coasting along till the end of his contract

[Ryan]

1-2 in the UFC isn't good for someone of his caliber. I hope he isn't planning on a Hall Of Fame induction.

[Dondo]

although it hasn't come out yet, and i am just assuming here, i really think there was serious damage done to his ribs with some of those body shots. i feel it took the wind out of his sails, literally and figuratively, not to mention it probably hurt like hell. say what you want about Kongo, he is one big strong dude and even if he is not the best technical striker, if he catches you clean with just one shot, it's bound to do some damage to the ribcage. also i think mirko may have been caught off guard with that strength, figuring he's been in there with a heavy kicker like mark hunt. he just seems like a shell of his former self, IMO