Pride Grand Prix 2006 champion Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (Pictures) has canceled his June 15 grappling exhibition his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Ralek Gracie (Pictures) after aggravating an elbow injury in training. Dnevnik.hr, one of the biggest online news portals in Croatia, reported the cancellation of the bout on Saturday morning.
The match, which was scheduled to be held under modified Abu Dahbi Combat Club rules, began as a stopgap solution after promoter Fighting & Entertainment Group was unable to find a suitable mixed martial arts opponent for the Croatian kickboxer.
A 56-second cameo appearance against overmatched Japanese grappler Tatsuya Mizuno (Pictures) this March aside, the Zagreb native has not fought in a Japanese ring for over 17 months.
Filipovic suffered the elbow injury in the Mizuno fight, but opted for conservative treatment in order to avoid surgery. Obviously, with the injury breaking up again after a honeymoon period of more than three months, this was the wrong decision to make. After more than 15 years in the fight game, "Cro Cop" is finally showing the wear and tear of over 60 professional bouts.
The kickboxer, 34 years old in September, is now tentatively scheduled for a clash with fellow former K-1 star Jerome Le Banner on July 21.

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