The following is a loose translation of a Croatian article:

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic was quite stunned yesterday, but it was not because of a punch, it was because of anesthetic.

Mirko decided to undergo nose surgery. Dr. Vladimir Bedekovic was surgeon who operated on Mirko's septum deviation -- this deviation was obstructing intake of oxygen.

Mirko was excellent prepared for every fight, but because of that problem he's had problem in the second and third round specifically.

"When I came to examination and when he saw how closed is my nose canal, surgeon was shocked, he could not believe that I could be top-line athlete with that deviation.

It seems that this problem took 50% of my stamina in fights,"said Mirko before he underwent surgery.

The fact that he decided to operate on his nose tells us that Mirko wants to continue his career with new enthusiasm.

The original Croatian article can be found here: http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/sports/more/2923703/index.do