Filipovic has lost two in a row heading

He remains one of the sport’s most popular fighters despite a decidedly average record in the last four years. Filipovic has lost two in a row heading into his heavyweight bout Saturday against Roy Nelson on the main card of UFC 137 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, and likely needs a win to keep his job.

Filipovic has always had a stoic demeanor, but there has been the perception among many since he joined the UFC after leaving the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championship that he was doing little more than going through the motions.

However, nobody can accuse him of that heading into his bout with Nelson.

A reporter prefaced a question about whether he’d be able to regain his past success by noting “you’re not an old man.” Filipovic, though, misheard the question, and he reacted quickly.

“Are you saying I’m an old man?” he asked, his voice flaring angrily.

He’s only 37, old for a fighter, perhaps, but definitely not an old man. And Filipovic, who is only 6-5 with one no contest since leaving Pride, doesn’t feel like he’s an old man.