Two of the best-known athletes from the worlds of grappling and MMA connected today when two-time ADCC champ Yuri Simoes got to train with MMA and K-1 legend Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic. 

The 2015 and 2017 ADCC champion, was was invited to Croatia by local black belt Bojan Mirkovič, trained with Cro Cop and the former UFC and Pride fighter's gym in Zagreb. 

Photo: @yurisimoesjj

Simoes, a two-time World No-Gi champion who is fresh off winning his second ADCC title last month in Finland, has made no secret about his plans to transition to MMA. Training with Cro Cop was an opportunity to good to pass up! 

"It was an super amazing feeling to meet a childhood idol of mine in real life, and it was an honor to have the chance to train, help him some on the ground and also to learn some striking tricks from him," says Simoes. 

Super humble guy, and strong as a bull! Another dream of mine that came true through jiu-jitsu.

 //www.facebook.com/mirkocrocop7777/photos/a.776980065680026.1073741825.466911916686844/1773577669353589/?type=3"

Simoes has been training MMA while in Croatia and has said he will announce his MMA plans in the near future.