If some fans and pundits are having misgivings about Bellator’s decision to work with Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic, it doesn’t sound like head of operations Scott Coker is giving their concerns much truck. Filipovic was handed a two-year suspension back in 2015, by USADA, stemming from a failed drug test ahead of a planned UFC bout against Anthony Hamilton. A suspension that would have been wrapped up last November, had the former Pride & K-1 Grand Prix winner ever served it.
Instead, the UFC granted the Croatian fighter his release from the promotion the following July, after which – along with various retirement claims – he went on to compete five times, winning all bouts by stoppage.