After 'perfect fight' first time, Gabriel Gonzaga says KO of 'Cro Cop' can't be reproduced

Gabriel Gonzaga knows his knockout of Mirko Filipovic at UFC 70 set an unmatchable standard. That’s why, eight years later, he claims to view his rematch with “Cro Cop” as a “new fight.”

“The first fight was eight years ago; think about how much has changed in this sport in eight years,” Gonzaga told MMAjunkie. “Most of the fighters aren’t around anymore. We’ve changed a lot in eight years. I am not the same and he is not the same. It’s going to be a different fight, so I don’t even consider this a rematch. It’s a new fight.”

In a finish that will live in perpetuity on UFC highlight reels, Gonzaga (16-9 MMA, 11-8 UFC) caught Filipovic (30-11-2 MMA, 4-6 UFC) with one of the most memorable head kick knockouts in the sport’s history at the April 2007 event in Manchester, England.

The bout determined the No. 1 contender to the heavyweight title, which at the time was held by Randy Couture. Most viewed it as a warm-up fight for Filipovic, but the unheralded Gonzaga had other plans.

He threw and landed a perfect head kick in the opening round. The blow immediately floored Filipovic and tucked his leg beneath his body in grizzly fashion.

“It was a perfect fight,” Gonzaga said. “I didn’t make any mistakes, he made one and I landed the kick. I remember I was young, everything was new and I won.”

The fight can realistically be viewed as a turning point in the career of both. The win launched Gonzaga into the heavyweight elite and earned him a UFC title shot (which he lost to Couture at UFC 74). For Filipovic, the defeat marked the end of his best days. He hasn’t won more than two consecutive fights since.

Eight years later, the rematch is set for the main event of UFC Fight Night 64 in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday. The event streams on UFC Fight Pass at Tauron Arena.

Gonzaga hasn’t erased the first fight from his memory completely, but said there’s little to take away from it. The Brazilian feels too much has changed since 2007 and looking back is simply wasted effort.

“People like to look at the first fight and compare, but he’s not going to win again,” Gonzaga said. “He’s still a dangerous fighter. He’s got a strong high kick still. He knocked someone out with it in his last fight. He’s still dangerous and a really good fighter. I need to fight smart to win.”

Both fighters have had different experiences dealing with the economics of a rematch. Filipovic has thrived throughout his career, going 5-0 in MMA competition when facing an opponent for the second time. Gonzaga has less data to work with, because he’s competed in just one rematch and was unsuccessful.

Gonzaga said he could envision the rematch playing out a number of ways. However, his prediction for the fight doesn’t include another head kick knockout. He’ll take a win in any form possible, but doesn’t think Filipovic will expose himself to the same techniques.

“I think that the way it ended cannot be reproduced,” Gonzaga said. “I’m not trying to land another high kick; I’m trying to win the fight. If I win, it could be standing; it could be on the ground. I’ll be ready to go wherever the fight goes.”

Just as the first meeting between Gonzaga and Filipovic could be defined as a career crossroad, the rematch arguably holds an even greater importance to both sides.

Filipovic returns to the octagon after fighting in other organizations for more than three years. Now 40, the MMA legend wanted to avenge what may be the worst of his 11 career losses while trying to snap a three-fight skid in UFC competition.

Gonzaga enters the contest with back-to-back losses, the most recent of which saw him suffer a knockout loss to Matt Mitrione in less than two minutes. “Napao” has never dropped three consecutive fights in his career and doesn’t want to start now.

The 20-fight UFC veteran still has aspirations of reaching the pinnacle of the sport. If he allows Filipovic to redeem arguably the best win of his career, though, Gonzaga knows that will be a massive set back from his ultimate aspirations.

“I definitely need to win this fight,” Gonzaga said. “I need to have a strong performance. That’s how this sport is. If you don’t win, then you are out. So I need to win this fight.

“I’m still trying to go toward a title shot. I need to win this fight if I want to do that.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 64, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.