Mostapha Al Turk: “I’m going to Germany to win”

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By Elliot Worsell

Have you ever rented a mindless Eddie Murphy comedy from Blockbuster or Netflix, only to then open up the case and find the wrong DVD inside? You open it up and find ‘Citizen Kane’. I’ve never been lucky enough to, but British heavyweight Mostapha Al Turk experienced the fistic equivalent this past week, as he signed to fight Croatian superstar Mirko Cro-Cop at UFC 99.

Originally set to face UFC newcomer Todd Duffee on June 13 in Germany, Al Turk now receives a bump up to the main card and an opponent in Cro-Cop who could boost the Brit’s reputation skyward.

The difference in reward from beating Duffee to upsetting Cro-Cop is monumental for the Londoner, thus making his reshuffled June 13 plans all the more enticing.

“My initial reaction was ‘oh my God, I’ve got to change my strategy to fight a southpaw’,” recalls Al Turk, who was initially preparing to fight the orthodox Duffee.

“It threw me a little to begin with. It hasn’t been a problem, though. There were slight difficulties adjusting from Duffee to Cro-Cop, but I think we’ve got there in the end.

“It was a little tricky moving from an orthodox slugger to a southpaw stalker, but these things happen. We brought in a few guys to spar southpaw and I’ve been coping with them fine.

“I’m just looking to step up now and make the most out of the situation. I see this as a great opportunity to make a name for myself. Beating Cro-Cop would be a massive win for me.”

Indeed. Such is Cro-Cop’s reputation within mixed martial arts circles that the high-kicking Croatian barely requires an introduction. Currently 24-6-2 in his glittering MMA career, Cro-Cop is a former PRIDE legend, boasting the scalps of men such as Wanderlei Silva, Josh Barnett, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Kazushi Sakuraba and Heath Herring to his name.

Despite the reputation and despite the threat of the famed Cro-Cop head-kick, Al Turk didn’t have to think twice about accepting his June 13 switch in opponent.

“It was a quick decision to take the fight,” admits Mostapha, 6-4 in his MMA career. “I had discussions with my coaches and we were all in agreement that it would be a good fight to take.

“I’ve watched Cro-Cop’s fights over the years and I know how good he is. He’s got very good kicks, he’s a stalker with precision and I know exactly what he’s going to do. Everybody knows what Cro-Cop is like. To be honest, I know a lot more about Cro-Cop than I did Duffee. Cro-Cop has got a lot more experience under his belt and I’m prepared for that.”

Al Turk’s entry to the UFC has been something of a whirlwind, a real sink-or-swim way introduction. The former Cage Rage heavyweight champion only made his UFC debut last December, and even then Al Turk was faced with the imposing figure of French danger man Cheick Kongo. It wasn’t exactly a smooth entrance to mixed martial arts’ most demanding proving ground. A massive step up, Al Turk was beaten by both the occasion and Kongo’s vicious ground-and-pound.

“I wasn’t focused for the Kongo fight,” recalls Al Turk, halted in the opening round by Kongo. “Even during Bruce Buffer’s announcements at the beginning, I’m in another place completely. I’m looking around at the big screens and taking in the atmosphere. I should have just been concentrating on my opponent.

“To be honest, it was the weirdest moment of my life. The moment grabbed a hold of me and I didn’t realise what was happening. Take nothing away from Kongo, though, as he did an excellent job.”

Although a tired cliché, the 35-year-old Al Turk can now only grow stronger and learn from such a precarious experience. Not many men would have happily faced an improving and fearsome Kongo on their UFC debut. Al Turk went there and collected the bumps and bruises to show for it. Though a harsh introduction at the time, Al Turk wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s just that kind of guy.

“Sure, I would have liked to build myself up in the UFC to begin with,” he admits. “I’d have liked to have got a win or two under my belt and then started taking on the bigger boys.

“These things happen, though. Sometimes you’ve just got to accept the opportunity when it arrives. You always end up regretting the things you haven’t done in life and I wasn’t about to pass this opportunity with Cro-Cop up. You either sink or you swim.”

Goggles in place, Al Turk is ready to take the plunge on June 13. He’s studied his higher-profile opponent, is aware of the danger and is ready to reap the benefits of a shock win. After all, Al Turk wouldn’t be the first underdog to topple Cro-Cop inside the Octagon. He’s only too aware of that fact and is eager to become the next beneficiary.

“I feel the timing could be right for me in this fight,” says Al Turk. “It’s as good a time as ever to fight Cro-Cop. The template is there on how to beat him and it’s been done before.

“I’m sure Mirko won’t go in there half-ready or under prepared. I don’t see him underestimating me like that. Cro-Cop will know what’s at stake and he’ll see himself as having a point to prove. I’m aware of all that.

“He’s very experienced, extremely well-known and has some excellent tools. I know I’m in for a tough old fight. I’m not expecting a walkover by any means. I’m going to Germany to win. I’ confident my hand will be raised at the end of this fight.”

Preparation nearly complete, Al Turk now hopes that on June 13 he doesn’t wind up opening the DVD case and finding ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’.

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