8 Best Bromances In MMA History

When Pat Barry got the opportunity to face MMA and kickboxing legend Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 115 he found himself conflicted. Barry had quickly ascended up the UFC ranks thanks to his impressive striking acumen, in particular with some of the best leg kicks ever seen at heavyweight.

However, Cro Cop had served as an inspiration for Barry's transition into mixed martial arts and the American made no attempt to hide just how high a regard he held his opponent in during the lead up to the fight, even remarking that he was hoping to get the Croatian's autograph but didn't know when it was appropriate to ask.

When the two fought, Barry found some early success on the feet but would ultimately succumb to a rear-naked-choke marking only the second time Cro Cop had earned a victory via submission in his storied career. In the aftermath, many observers claimed that it appeared that Barry's admiration for his opponent had dulled the killer instinct that had previously made him so effective.

All's well that ends well though, and ever since the bout the two men have remained close friends, with Barry often travelling to Croatia in order to train with the legend. The pair have also shown that they make quite the double act, after Barry released a video of them singing along to the 1965 Mama's and the Papa's classic, California Dreamin'.