Former K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Mirko
Filipovic is set to take on Roy Nelson at
Bellator 216 at heavyweight on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun
Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The pair previously met when they were both contracted under the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 137 in October 2011 with Nelson winning via third-round TKO. The two were scheduled to meet at Bellator 200 last May, but "Cro Cop" was forced to withdraw with an injury.
Ahead of this weekend's fight, a photo emerged of Filipovic looking in rare physical form, leading some fans to suggest that the 44-year-old has been taking some sort of steroid to assist him with the healing process as a result from his injuries. “Cro Cop” has admitted in the past to using a growth hormone.
So, Cro Cop "passed multiple drug tests" for his fight with Roy Nelson this weekend?
— JustBleedMMA (@JustBleedMMA) February 12, 2019
Sure, Jan. pic.twitter.com/hpMp3MneVf
Filipovic spoke to MMA Fighting and dismissed claims from fans he was taking a prohibited substance ahead of his fight against “Big Country”(via MMAMania.com):
“You know how people are, so many stupid comments,” Filipovic said. “This, that … I’m a very dedicated man. I spent five, six hours rehabilitation process every day. I managed to recover. After six, seven weeks I start to jog again. I had a fight also. Leg wasn’t recovered enough. But anyway I accepted the fight. I am recovered now.”
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
