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Stefan Struve returns, meets Matt Mitrione at UFC 175

1K views 18 replies 18 participants last post by  osmium 
#1 ·
After heart problems, Stefan Struve returns, meets Matt Mitrione at UFC 175

By MMAjunkie Staff May 8, 2014 7:15 am



:Stefan Struve – one of the few top young heavyweights in MMA – is officially returning to the cage.

On the sidelines since a March 2013 loss to Mark Hunt due to a rare heart condition, Struve (25-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has been booked to fight Matt Mitrione (7-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) at UFC 175.

UFC officials today announced the bout.

UFC 175 takes place July 5 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

It’s not clear where Struve vs. Mitrione will be placed on the lineup.

Struve, who’s ranked No. 11 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings, was riding a four-fight winning streak (with six wins in a seven-fight span) before the TKO loss to Hunt in UFC on FUEL TV 8′s co-headliner. Afterward, the 26-year-old Dutchman was sidelined after doctors discovered a leaking aortic valve and enlarged heart.

At one point during the recovery, UFC President Dana White said he doubted the 7-footer would be able to return to the cage, though Struve continually said retirement wasn’t an option. This past month, he told MMAjunkie he had officially been cleared to return to competition.

He now meets Mitrione, who most recently knocked out Shawn Jordan to pick up one of the TUF China Finale’s “Performance of the Night” bonuses. Prior to the needed win, the 35-year-old Mitrione, who’s fought exclusively in the UFC after joining the organization after competing on “The Ultimate Fighter 10,” was stuck in a 1-3 skid.
http://mmajunkie.com/2014/05/after-...struve-returns-meets-matt-mitrione-at-ufc-175
 
#3 ·
Stiff test for Struve coming off of such a big layoff...

Meathead's a stud.
 
#17 ·
Be nice...The Hybrid is on an amazing 2-fight win streak.

I hope Struve is really 100% full full full recovered from everything. If not, it will make for an uncomfortable viewing. But this will probably be the usual Struve fight where he is bloodied within three minutes, and then it's anyone's guess as to what happens from there.
 
#12 ·
Never know what to expect from Struve. I thought he had a bad chin, but then hunt couldn't put him out.

But if his heart is beating more efficiently, he may be significantly improved. If his heart no longer struggles to supply his body with oxygen, his cardio and training may be much better.
 
#13 ·
Struve is the tallest guy in the company but he fights as if he were 5'4. Mark Hunt should've never been able to hit Struve in the face with that reach difference, but he did over and over. If Struve went and trained with Lyoto Machida for a while, I'd say he could win this with either a striking decision or a submission. But if he still continues to put his chin out there where even Might Mouse could kick him, Meathead may be able to put him down.


There is nobody in MMA more fun to watch fall than Struve. He falls for a round a half and always lands mangled bent up in the cage lol.
 
#15 ·
Struve's a bad mother****er. He's going to be coming back with a vengeance. He's going to smash Mitrione.
 
#16 ·
After the huge layoff and medical issues Struve should've gotten a tune up fight.

Matt is a beast. This one is gonna be interesting.
 
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