Cro Cop (left) and Napão (right) have a rematch eight years after the knockout. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS Production (Disclosure/UFC)
One of the most surprising fights in MMA history will have its rematch in 2015. The UFC announced that Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Napao will be the main event of UFC Fight Night 64, which will be held on April 11th and will mark the organization's debut in Poland. The event will be held in the city of Krakow.
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The reunion will take place practically eight years after the first fight between the two. On April 21, 2007, in England, Napão surprised all predictions by devastatingly knocking out the favorite Cro Cop, who had recently arrived in the UFC and was already considered one of the great candidates to win the belt. What's more: the knockout came via a powerful high kick, the Croatian's trademark.
However, the rematch will take place at completely different times in both men's careers. At 40 years old, Cro Cop is going through an unstable moment in MMA, with four defeats in his last seven fights (three of which were in the UFC). Napão, 35, lost in his last two appearances in the octagon, against Stipe Miocic (judges' decision) and Matt Mitrione (knockout).
Another fight announced for the attraction is between the local promise Jan Blachowicz, former champion of the Polish KSW event, and the Nigerian based in England Jimi Manuwa. The fight will be the co-main attraction of UFC FN 64.
UFC announces more events in Europe
In addition to making the debut in Poland official, the UFC confirmed two more events to be held in Europe this year. UFC Fight Night 69, on June 20th, will take place in Berlin, Germany, marking Ultimate's second visit to the city.
Almost a month later, another debut: UFC Fight Night 73, on July 18, will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, finally confirming the first attraction in the country after years of speculation.
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