Cro Cop-Gonzaga 2 set to headline UFC Poland debut

The Octagon is headed to Poland for the first time in UFC history and they’ll be bringing quite the heavyweight rematch.

Heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga and Croatian superhero Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic will run it back in a rematch of a fight that produced one of the most shocking outcomes in the history of mixed martial arts. Gonzaga flipped the script in their first meeting when he went all right kick hospital on Cro Cop, earning himself a title shot against then heavyweight champion Randy Couture.

Now, nearly 8 full years later, the two men will headline for the UFC once again after both being cut by the promotion and earning their way back, respectively.

Poland’s Jan Blachowicz will look to put on a show for friends and family in attendance when he takes on “Poster Boy” Jimi Manuwa in the co-main event of the evening. Blachowicz held the light heavyweight strap for KSW, Poland’s premier MMA promotion, and now will look to put his country on the map in a major way when the UFC visits the Krakow Arena on April 11th.

The main card will also feature the UFC debut of lightweight Mamed Khalidov. The Russian-Polish “Cannibal” comes in on the strength of a 11-fight unbeaten streak and draws Hawaiian born UFC vet Brad Tavares. Khalidov was one of few top ranked lightweights outside of the UFC and will have chance to help Blachowicz being the Polish takeover at UFC Fight Night 64.