One of the most popular heavyweights in mixed martial arts is set to return to the Octagon, as Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic will fight Mostapha Al Turk at UFC 99 on June 13 in Germany.
After multiple reports surfaced online of the fight, I checked with a UFC spokesperson who gave FanHouse this short and sweet statement from UFC President Dana White: "Cro Cop is in."
That will come as very exciting news to MMA fans around the world, as Cro Cop is a popular attraction in the United States, in Europe and in Japan.
A heavyweight with a 24-6-2 career record, Cro Cop was one of the most popular fighters in the Japanese Pride organization, and when he first signed with the UFC, in 2007, it was seen as a major coup for the organization. But he went just 1-2 in the UFC before leaving the promotion to go back to fighting in Japan.
Now Cro Cop is heading back to the Octagon, and his presence will make UFC 99 one of a series of great summer cards for the UFC.
After multiple reports surfaced online of the fight, I checked with a UFC spokesperson who gave FanHouse this short and sweet statement from UFC President Dana White: "Cro Cop is in."
That will come as very exciting news to MMA fans around the world, as Cro Cop is a popular attraction in the United States, in Europe and in Japan.
A heavyweight with a 24-6-2 career record, Cro Cop was one of the most popular fighters in the Japanese Pride organization, and when he first signed with the UFC, in 2007, it was seen as a major coup for the organization. But he went just 1-2 in the UFC before leaving the promotion to go back to fighting in Japan.
Now Cro Cop is heading back to the Octagon, and his presence will make UFC 99 one of a series of great summer cards for the UFC.