Biography

Two sons (Ivan and Filip) with wife Klaudija (b. 7 March 2003 resp. b. November 2010).

Former boxer, former kickboxer, and current mixed martial artist. His boxing record is 40-5 (amateur) and 12-5 (professional). His K-1 kickboxing record is 16-7. His PRIDE record is 21-4-2. In February of 2007, he debuted in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), winning his first fight but then dropping back-to-back fights to finish out the year. He has since been released from his UFC contract and has gone 2-0-0-1 in the Japanese MMA organization DREAM.

Got knocked-out by Hammer House wrestler Kevin Randleman in the opening round of the 2004 PRIDE Heavyweight tournament. In December of that year at the Shockwave event, he got his revenge when he submitted Randleman with a guillotine choke.

Got submitted by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE Final Conflict 2003. This was the first time Mirko and then-champ Fedor Emelianenko were supposed to fight. Mirko knocked out Igor Vovchanchyn in the first round of the two-round LHW tournament and earned himself a title shot. However, Fedor had a hand injury and Nogueira stepped in to fight Mirko for the Interim Heavyweight Championship, which he won after submitting Mirko in the second round with an armbar.

Lost to K-1 World Grand Prix champion Mark Hunt by split-decision at PRIDE Shockwave 2005. This was a revenge match for Hunt, who had lost a unanimous decision to Mirko in a K-1 match in 2002.