Mirko Cro Cop knocks out Amir Aliakbari to win grand prix Rizin 2016 in Tokyo

“This is a special one for me, 10 years later after winning Pride grand prix,” Cro Cop said on the microphone afterward. … “I can’t explain it and I can’t explain how happy and proud I am.”
Cro Cop (35-11-2, 1 NC) was granted his release from the UFC earlier this year after being handed a two-year suspension by USADA, the promotion’s anti-doping partner. In November 2015, Cro Cop admitted use of growth hormone to treat a shoulder injury before a bout. USADA pulled him from the fight for usage of a banned substance and handed down the suspension thereafter.
Since he could not fight for the UFC for two years, the 42-year-old asked for his release and the UFC gave it to him. He is still allowed to compete for promotions not under a USADA anti-doping program.
Cro Cop won the Pride Open Weight Grand Prix in 2006 with a first-round finish over Josh Barnett. Rizin founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara was the former Pride president.
Aliakbari (5-1) came in as a top prospect, just about two years into his MMA career after starring as a Greco-Roman wrestler. He won the Greco world championship twice, but one was removed due to a failed drug test.
In the semifinals of the grand prix, Cro Cop defeated Baruto early in the first round with a vicious knee to the body from the clinch. The Croatian star defeated Muhammad Lawal in the quarterfinals Thursday. Aliakbari won a decision against Valentin Moldavsky in the semifinals and beat Heath Herring by decision on the first night.
Marc Raimondi
Source www.mmafighting.com