The rematch that nobody asked for is going to headline the UFC’s debut show in Poland. On Friday, the UFC announced Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (pictured) will get a chance to avenge his 2007 defeat to Gabriel Gonzaga on April 11.
The sequel comes 10 days shy of the eight-year anniversary of Gonzaga’s upset special over Filipovic. It was Filipovic’s second UFC bout when he got a taste of his own medicine by eating head kick KO courtesy of the Brazilian.
Filipovic’s UFC career went downhill from there and he temporarily retired after going a disappointed 4-6 stretch inside the octagon. The kickboxer returned to MMA a year after leaving to UFC, fighting mostly in Japan.
The 40-year-old has won three of his last four fights and was re-signed by the UFC on Tuesday.
Gonzaga is looking to snap his two-fight losing skid. After dropping a unanimous decision to Stipe Miocic last January, the former heavyweight top contender was TKO’d by Matt Mitrione just last month.
Light heavyweights Jan Blachowicz and Jimi Manuwa will co-headline the event.
Krakow Arena in Krakow, Lesser, Poland serves as host. UFC Fight Pass will stream the entire card live in America.