Former PRIDE FC Open Weight Grand Prix champion, Mirko Filipovic, is making his return to mixed martial arts (MMA) competition when he battles fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) export Roy Nelson at the upcoming Bellator 200 event.
Their 265-pound showdown takes place Fri., May 25, 2018, inside SSE Arena in London, England, a rematch of their UFC 137 collision which ended (violently) in favor of “Big Country” and his “disgusting beard.”
Time for revenge?
Sure, “Cro Cop” was later suspended by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), effectively stripping him of a stateside license to fight, but if that doesn’t bother Bellator head cheese Scott Coker, why should we make a fuss over it?
What happens in London stays in London!
But just to prove he’s listening to any and all objections, Coker and Co. have required Filipovic to pass a battery of pre and post-fight drug tests, even if it means chasing him down in Croatia to do it.
The first urine test, administered by Michael Mazzulli of both Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation (MTDAR) and Association of Boxing Commissions, came back negative for performance-enhancing drugs, according to MMA Junkie.
MTDAR regulates Bellator’s overseas affairs.
While we still have some time before the actual fight, it’s certainly a promising start. But at age 43, we also have to worry about that pesky injury bug showing up where he’s not welcome.
Especially without any “special supplements” to keep him at bay!