After heart problems, Stefan Struve returns, meets Matt Mitrione at UFC 175

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.

For more on UFC 175, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.