One of the most feared strikers in MMA history, Mirko Cro Cop is a legend in his home country of Croatia.
In fact, heavyweight Ante Delija credits Cro Cop for the growth of MMA in the European nation.
“We all started training because of Mirko Cro Cop,” Delija said. “He was our inspiration for all fighters in Croatia.”
For the 6-foot-5 Delija, the influence is much more direct, though. Rather than simply an influence on his goal, Cro Cop has provided direct assistance and mentorship over the past several years.
“He’s an extraordinary talent and the biggest worker I ever met,” Cro Cop said of Delija. “I have to stop him from training. Most of the guys, you have to push to train. I have to stop Ante.”
Currently in his first full season with the PFL, Delija (19-4) qualified for the 2021 PFL Championship with an August win over Denis Goltsov. He now moves on to face Bruno Cappelozza (13-5) at next week’s event, which airs live on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ on Oct. 27 from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Delija said it’s Cro Cop that has proven his biggest asset.
“Mirko helped me work toward this goal,” Delija said. “I really wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, that I could accomplish everything he believed I could.”
Check out the video above, courtesy of the PFL.
Video: Mirko Cro Cop’s legacy lives on in PFL finalist Ante Delija
