Brendan Schaub Guarantees Finish Against Personal Favorite Mirko Cro Cop

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive

NEWARK, N.J. -- Making his way into the MMA world years ago, there were few heavyweights Brendan Schaub enjoyed watching as much as Croatian star Mirko Cro Cop. Schaub loves the standup game, and Cro Cop was the best heavyweight striker around. Schaub bought his fights, wore his T-shirts, mimicked his kicks.

On Saturday at UFC 128 though, Schaub will have to put his adoration aside and step in the octagon with Cro Cop standing across from him. It's a scenario we've seen play out before. Just last June, Pat Barry told the same stories. He idolized Cro Cop, was honored to fight him, and seemed on his way to a win when he stepped off the gas pedal. Given the opening, Cro Cop stunned him with a late, rare submission.

It was a lesson learned for Schaub, who doesn't plan on making the same mistake.

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