Cro Cop managed to return the defeat to G. Napão. Photo: UFC
Croatian Mirko Cro Cop suffered, but managed to return the knockout suffered against Gabriel Napao at UFC Fight Night 64, an event held this Saturday afternoon (11), in Poland. As happened in the first clash between them, the Brazilian started the fight better, dominating the actions. However, the Rio black belt was unable to end the fight in the spectacular way he did in 2007 – with a high kick considered one of the greatest knockouts in the history of Ultimate –, he lost momentum in the final half of the fight and ended up being knocked out in the third round.
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The fight
It was hard to imagine that Gabriel Napao managed to repeat the feat of the first fight between them, at UFC 70, but the Brazilian started with a very intense rhythm. The black belt landed good punches in the stand-up fight, took down the Pride legend and managed to advance with good positions in the ground fight. Gabriel even mounted Mirko and even tried to end the dispute with a footlock.
In the second round, Cro Cop tried to return the knockout in kind: with a high kick. But Napão managed to dodge and then repeat the tactic from the previous part. The Brazilian overthrew his rival and advanced positions. The Rio athlete landed blows to his rival's ribs, passed half guard and mounted. On top, Napão threw blows and looked for an armbar, but to no avail. The round ended with Cro Cop with a cut on his left eyebrow.
What seemed to turn into an easy victory for Napão turned into a nightmare in the third round. Appearing to be more tired, the Brazilian closed the distance and exchanged blows with Mirko. More technical in the stand-up fight, the Croatian landed a right cross that shook Gabriel. With a few more blows, the Tupiniquim athlete went to the ground and, punished by several elbows, suffered a technical knockout.
Risk of dismissal
The tough defeat against Mirko Cro Cop could complicate the continuity of his career Gabriel Napao in the UFC. In his second visit to the event, the Brazilian, who already challenged for the heavyweight belt in 2008, is coming off a series of three defeats.
Check out the results of UFC Fight Night 64 – Napão x Cro Cop below
MAIN CARD
Mirko Cro Cop defeated Gabriel Napao by technical knockout in R3;
Jimi Manuwa x Jan Blachowicz in the unanimous decision of the judges;
Pawel Pawlak defeated Sheldon Westcott via unanimous decision;
Maryna moroz finished Joanne calderwood with an arm-bar 1m30s from R1;
PRELIMINARY CARD
Leon edwards defeated Seth Baczynski by knockout 8 seconds into R1;
Bartosz Fabinski defeated Garreth McLellan via unanimous decision;
Serginho Moraes defeated Mickael Lebout via unanimous decision;
Yaotzin Meza defeated Damian Stasiak via unanimous decision;
Anthony Hamilton defeated Daniel Omielanczuk via unanimous decision;
Aleksandra Albu submitted Izabela Badurek with a guillotine choke at 3m34 of R2;
Steven Ray defeated Marcin Bandel via TKO at 1:35 of R2
Taylor Lapilus defeated Rocky Lee via unanimous decision (30x27, 30x27, 30x27).
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