With one fight left on his UFC contract Croatian heavyweight Mirko ‘CroCop’ Filipovic is promising some “exciting” new tricks for his June 12th meeting with Pat Barry at UFC 115. Filipovic terrorized the PRIDE heavyweight division but has fared less well in the UFC, and if he loses this fight he is surely going to be asked to call time on his career.

“Well we are working hard on just about every part of the game. After so many years in this sport some things need improvements but some are good as they are. I'll always be more comfortable with striking, but I do a lot of ground work, takedowns/throws and other stuff. You can expect some new exciting techniques from me, that's for sure,” he told Croatian MMA site Nokaut.

He also added that “the competition is really strong nowadays. These young lions are talented, well rounded and hungry, what makes them dangerous… Barry is young but very talented, I've seen his fights. I need this win as it's important for my future in UFC. It should be a good fight, I'm sure that we'll deliver an action-packed fight.”

Barry is almost tailor-made for Filipovic as he is also a kickboxing stylist who prefers the feet to the floor. Neither man is likely to be looking for the takedown - especially Barry, who sees facing Filipovic as a huge test and who would be elated to out-strike a man he has looked up to for so long.

Filipovic is coming off a win over Anthony Perosh at UFC 110 in February while Barry is coming off a win over Antoni Hardonk at UFC 104. That win was a personal milestone for Barry as the two used to train together under Ernesto Hoost, who Barry accused of “giving up on me” as a prospect.