Dejan Lovren fights ex-UFC star Mirko Cro Cop… but the former Liverpool defender can only last 50 SECONDS before tapping-out in sparring session with the heavyweight
- Dejan Lovren took on MMA fighter Mirko Cro Cop in sparring this weekend
- The Croatian fighter competed in the UFC and had a record of 38-11-2
- Lovren had little chance, lasting 50 seconds and tapping-out to an arm bar
- The centre-back left Liverpool last summer for Zenit St Petersburg for £10m
Without a Zenit St Peterburg game to play, Dejan Lovren had a weekend off. Instead of enjoying a quiet Sunday in, the former Liverpool star got mauled by an MMA hero.
The Croatian never had much chance taking-on countryman Mirko Cro Cop – who ended his career with a record of 38-11-2 after bouts in the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships.
Lovren posted a clip from the pair’s sparring session on Instagram, showing that the Champions League and Premier League winner was on the floor barely a second into the clash.
Dejan Lovren and ex-UFC fighter Mirko Cro Cop faced-off in the octagon for a sparring session
The centre-back wasn’t on his feet long, getting slammed to the floor instantly by the Croatian
The former Liverpool defender tapped-out after 50 seconds after being put in an arm bar
Cro Cop – who earned his nickname through his former employment in Croatia’s elite Special Forces unit – slung the centre-back to the floor instantly.
It was a one-sided from there onwards, though Lovren struggled on well. He lasted 50 seconds before tapping-out to an arm bar.
The footballer wrote: ‘Had this morning a short training session against
‘What a beast this man still is. Was a big pleasure Mirko. Thank you.’
The MMA legend has been employed in the Croatian Special Forces and fought at heavyweight
Lovren has been playing in Russia, captaining Zenit St Petersburg after leaving Liverpool
Lovren’s willingness to take on an MMA legend is bad new for strikers in the Russian Premier League, who are struggling to get by him as it is.
The centre-back has skippered Zenit into pole position after 23 matches, showing his quality despite being sold by Liverpool in a £10m deal last summer.
Jurgen Klopp may be regretting that decision now, with the Reds amid a centre-back crisis which has been at the heart of their slide away from the top-four race.