Gonzaga (left) and Filipovic (right) take part in the main fight in Krakow. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
In 2007, Gabriel Napao shocked the MMA world by making legendary Croatian Mirko Cro Cop try his own medicine and knock him out with an impressive high kick that earned him a shot at the heavyweight belt. Now, eight years later, Napão and Cro Cop will meet again in the octagon, in very different situations, in the debut of the most famous octagon on the planet in Poland, in the main fight of UFC Fight Night 64.
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Coming from two consecutive defeats, to Stipe Miocic and Matt Mitrione, Napão remains in top-15 of the heavyweight category, but only appears in 14th place. In his career, the jiu-jitsu specialist has a record of 16 wins and nine losses.
Mirko Filipovic, 40 years old, has a record of 30 wins, 11 losses, two draws and one fight without result. The legendary name of striking, with a vast cartel also in K-1, made history during the times of the extinct PRIDE and won the Absolute GP 2006, beating names like Hidehiko Yoshida, Wanderlei Silva and Josh Barnett. Cro Crop had retired in 2011, after a negative run in Ultimate, but returned to MMA the following year and, since then, has recorded three wins and one defeat, all in events in Russia or Japan.
Local star Błachowicz takes on Manuwa
Blachowicz (photo) will be Poland's main name on the card. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
For the local public, in addition to the rematch between Napão and Cro Cop, UFC Poland could also mark the rise of a national star. Light heavyweight Jan Błachowicz will be the biggest name in the house at the event and will take part in the co-main fight of the night, against the dangerous Briton Jimi Manuwa.
A former champion of the Polish KSW event, Błachowicz has a professional record of 18 wins and just three losses. The 32-year-old athlete is coming off a devastating knockout victory over the Swede Ilir Latifi, in October last year, in his Ultimate debut.
TUF runner-up, Serginho returns after more than a year and a half
Serginho (photo) has been away from the Octagon for a long time. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The last time the TUF Brazil 1 runner-up Serginho Moraes first stepped into the octagon in August 2013, when he won Neil Magny at UFC Rio 4. Since then, more than a year and a half has passed and the São Paulo native has remained away from the sport, due to physical problems.
On the UFC Poland preliminary card, Serginho will have the chance to return after his long hiatus against Frenchman Mickael Lebout. In his career, the “Thai Evolution” athlete has a record of eight wins and two losses.
Check out the complete UFC Poland technical sheet below:
DATE AND TIME: 11/04/2015, from 12:45 pm (Brasília time);
Location: Tauron Arena, Krakow, Poland;
Streaming: Combat Channel.
MAIN CARD
Heavyweight (up to 120 kg): Mirko Cro Cop x Gabriel Napao;
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Jimi Manuwa x Jan Blachowicz;
Welterweight (up to 77 kg): Pawel Pawlak x Sheldon Westcott;
Straw weight (up to 52 kg): Joanne calderwood x Maryna moroz.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight (up to 77 kg): Seth Baczynski x Leon edwards;
Middleweight (up to 84 kg): Garreth McLellan x Bartosz Fabinski;
Welterweight (up to 77 kg): Serginho Moraes x Mickael Lebout;
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): Yaotzin Meza x Damian Stasiak;
Heavyweight (up to 120 kg): Daniel Omielanczuk x Anthony Hamilton;
Strawweight (up to 52 kg): Aleksandra Albu x Izabela Badurek;
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Marcin Bandel (69,8 kg) x Steven Ray (70,3 kg);
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): Rocky Lee (65,3 kg) x Taylor Lapilus (65,7 kg).
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