Famed UFC heavyweight Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (22-5-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who suffered a devastating KO loss to Gabriel Gonzaga last month at UFC 70, will make his return to the Octagon at the recently announced UFC 75 event in London, England, on Sept. 8.
That’s the word from the site
DNEVNIK.hr and a translation provided by UFCjunkie.com (
UFC blog for UFC news, MMA news, UFC rumors, UFC gossip, fighter interviews and event previews and recaps - UFCjunkie.com) reader “Marcio.“
The heavyweight’s opponent is not yet known.
Filipovic, a former PRIDE Fighting Championships fighter and champion, was acquired by the UFC earlier this year and posted a successful TKO victory over Eddie Sanchez in his debut at UFC 67 in February. He entered UFC 70, which took place at Manchester, England, as a large favorite over Gonzaga but lasted less than one round with the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt fighter.
After suffering nearly three minutes of ground and pound, and absorbing a major cut along his hairline, Filipovic was tagged with a sickening high leg kick in the round’s final seconds. The blow instantly knocked Filipovic unconscious.
In interviews after the UFC 70 fight, Filipovic admitted that he didn’t prepare properly for the fight and never bothered to train in an Octagon (his PRIDE fights took place in a standard ring). In this latest report, though, Filipovic said he will work extensively in an Octagon in preparation for the September fight.
According to the story, Filipovic was given the option of fighting at UFC 74 on Aug. 25 but opted to instead fight two weeks later at UFC 75. The event is also expected to feature the U.K.‘s Michael Bisping and France’s Jess Liaudin.
UFC 75 could take place at The O2 (formerly known as The Millennium Dome).
For the latest fight cards, check out the UFC Rumors section here at UFCjunkie.com.
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