Heavyweight title rematch set for FNC 33 in Zagreb; Mirko Filipović's return off

The FNC 33 mixed martial arts event, scheduled for September 12 in Zagreb's Arena, is shaping up to be a landmark promotion. With approximately half the arena's capacity already sold two months prior, anticipation is high for the announced fights. Organization head Dražen Forgač confirmed 11 bouts will take place, with the main event now set: heavyweight champion Hatef Moeil will defend his title against Serbia's Darko Stošić.

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This fight is a rematch, as the two previously met 11 years ago at FFC in Linz, where Stošić secured a technical knockout victory in the second round.

This fight is a rematch, as the two previously met 11 years ago at FFC in Linz, where Stošić secured a technical knockout victory in the second round. Both fighters are more experienced now, and Moeil enters the bout on a 13-fight winning streak. A rematch was planned for last year in Belgrade, but Stošić withdrew due to injury.

The confirmation of the Moeil-Stošić fight means that a return for legendary fighter Mirko Filipović, also known as 'Cro Cop,' is off the table for now. Filipović had been rumored to face Moeil in Zagreb, but that match will not happen, at least not at this event.

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Both fighters are more experienced now, and Moeil enters the bout on a 13-fight winning streak.

Another confirmed bout is in the light heavyweight division between Miran Fabjan, a popular FNC fighter who calls himself the organization's GOAT, and Ivan Erslan, returning from the UFC. The winner of this fight is expected to challenge for the title currently held by Jakob Nedoh.

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The confirmation of the Moeil-Stošić fight means that a return for legendary fighter Mirko Filipović, also known as 'Cro Cop,' is off the table for now.