Without a Zenit St Peterburg game to play, Dejan Lovren had a weekend off. Instead of enjoying a quiet Sunday in, the former Liverpool star got beaten-up by an MMA hero.
The Croatian never had much chance, taking-on countryman Mirko Cro Cop – who ended his career with a record of 38-11-2 after bouts in the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships.
Lovren posted a clip from the sparring session on Instagram, and the Champions League and Premier League winner was on the floor barely a second in.
Cro Cop – who earned his nickname through his former employment as an anti-terrorist Special Forces operative – slung the centre-back to the floor instantly.
It was a one-sided from there onwards, though Lovren struggled on well. He lasted 50 seconds before tapping-out to an arm bar.
The footballer wrote: 'Had this morning a short training session against
'What a beast this man still is. Was a big pleasure Mirko. Thank you.'
Lovren's willingness to take on an MMA legend is bad new for strikers in the Russian Premier League, who are struggling to get by him as it is.
The centre-back has skippered Zenit into pole position after 23 matches, showing his quality despite being sold by Liverpool in a £10m deal last summer.
Jurgen Klopp may be regretting that decision now, with the Reds amid a centre-back crisis which has been at the heart of their slide away from the top-four race.