Though the next UFC is not taking place before the end of August, there is plenty of MMA action in the Old World. European Throwdown brings you all the latest news, rumors and developments from Croatia, Germany, Poland and Russia.

"Cro Cop" receives reinforcements

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic is taking his upcoming fight with Frenchman Cheick Kongo (Pictures) very seriously. After the disastrous knockout at the hands, or rather feet, of Brazilian grappler Gabriel "Napão" Gonzaga at UFC 70, "operation heavyweight championship" has receded into the far distance.

Another loss, this time against the 32-year-old kickboxer from Paris, would most likely mean the end of the sensitive Croatian's career. That's why last year's PRIDE Grand Prix winner has upped the ante in training.

For the past two weeks, former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) and former PRIDE heavyweight challenger Sergei Kharitonov (Pictures) have joined Cro Cop in his training camp in Zagreb. While Rodriguez is supposed to offer some tips in ground and cage fighting, former Russian amateur boxing champion Kharitonov will serve as a sparring partner for Filipovic.

In August two highly prominent stand-up fighters in Remy Bonjasky and Gilbert Yvel (Pictures) will replace the duo. The Dutch twosome will help Cro Cop peak in his Muay Thai training.

Magomedov returns

One of Cro Cop's former victims plans to return to the ring for the first time in almost two years. Russian kickboxer Ibragim Magomedov (Pictures), a teammate of PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures), is set to face undefeated Croatian wrestler Kresimir Bogdanovic in the main event of "Idassa Conflict" in Zadar, Croatian on August 11.

The 32-year-old Magomedov had established himself as one of Europe's premier heavyweight fighters after winning two eight-man tournaments in 2004. One year later the primary rock from St. Petersburg's "Red Devil Sport Club" suffered a massive career setback with consecutive knockout losses against Cro Cop, Dutchman Antoni Hardonk (Pictures) and teammate Roman Zentsov (Pictures).

Bogdanovic, a member of "Nokaut Team," has embarked to England in order to train with countryman Zelg Galesic (Pictures) and PRIDE veteran James Thompson (Pictures) at "Trojan Gym" in Cheltenham.

Trouble in paradise

There are some drastic changes going on behind the scenes of bodogFIGHT right now. For the extended weekend of August 25-27, a total of 40 fights were scheduled for the taping of series five and six of the weekly TV show. Two weeks ago, half of the bouts were cancelled, among them the fights of German duo Mario Stapel and Daniel Weichel, as well as those of most English and Finnish fighters.

While it was first rumored that Bodog had fired matchmaker Miguel Iturrate over the "Alvarez vs. Lee" show that received mixed receptions at best, the "Black Peter" is in fact with production company Riptown Media, which handles the television and filming for bodogFIGHT. Sources close to the situation have confirmed to Sherdog.com that it was Riptown that made the decision to cut the number of fighters over the objections of Iturrate.

The European fighters will make up for it another time, either at a pay-per-view event in fall or at the next tapings at the beginning of 2008.

"Gorilla" poised for UFC debut

Polish knockout artist Tomasz Drwal has confirmed to Sherdog.com that he will make his UFC debut on the undercard of the "Rampage vs. Henderson" fight in London, England on September 8.

The 23-year-old striker from Krakow in southern Poland -- who has terrorized the European circuit for the past three years with brutal knockout victories over highly experienced Dutchman Michael Knaap, Finland-based Brazilian Lucio Linhares and Lithuanian K-1 veteran Valdas Pocevicius -- has signed a three-fight-deal with Zuffa.

His initial task will be a stiff one as he faces undefeated Chute Boxe talent Thiago Silva (Pictures). The pupil of Vale Tudo legend Jorge "Macaco" Patino won his UFC debut in a little over one minute when James Irvin (Pictures) suffered a knee injury in their bout at UFC 71. The "Gorilla" Drwal is however certain to win after missing all of 2006 with two knee injuries.

It's "All or Nothing" for the FFC

Free Fight Championship (FFC), the premier MMA organization in Germany, has announced most of the card for its second show this year. The event called "All or Nothing" will once again take place in the historic "Kohlrabizirkus" in Leipzig and pit a total of 14 fighters from "Bushido Free Fight Team" against opponents from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Brazil.

Heavyweights Ilja Skondric, Lars Weber and Martin Boizik will return after being victorious in the first round of the "Big Bad Boyz" heavyweight tournament in April. They will be joined by "Bushido" boss Marko Zschörner and heavyweight hopeful Norman Jendrejczjk, who returns from Bundeswehr duty in Afghanistan.

In a rematch from the last show, Czech knockout artist Vaclav Pribyl will put his FFC welterweight title on the line against German wrestler Ric Schreiter. The most compelling fight on the card is the one between German MMA pioneer Mario Stapel and Australian BTT member Luke Picklum. The "Spider" and the "Duke" will fight for the spot of the No. 1 challenger for the welterweight title.

Complete Match-ups:

Radovan Kuca (Czech Republic) vs. Marko Zschörner (Germany)
Martin Brejcha (Czech Republic) vs. Patrik Moll (Germany)
Dusan Skondric (Slovakia) vs. Christian Lo Re (Germany)
TBA vs. Jens Ruske (Germany)
Dragomir Rakic (Slovakia) vs. Silvio Haufe (Germany)
Mario Stapel (Germany) vs. Luke Picklum (Australia)
Martin Boizik (Slovakia) vs. Franco Schulze (Germany)
TBA vs. Norman Jendrejczjk (Germany)
Ilja Skondric (Slovakia) vs. Lars Weber (Germany)
Ivan Rodriguez (Brazil) vs. Artjom Kotellewetz (Germany)
Vaclav Pribyl (Czech Republic) vs. Ric Schreiter (Germany)
Igor Araujo (Brazil) vs. Klaus Gaydosik (Germany)
Peter Sluka (Slovakia) vs. Sebastian Kliesch (Germany)
Marcelo Costa (Brazil) vs. Michal Hamrsmid (Czech Republic)

A look ahead

The months of September and October will be crucial for European fighters Bryan Rafiq (Pictures) and Kestutis Arbocius (Pictures), as they will make their way to Japan to fight in Pancrase again.

Frenchman Rafiq, currently ranked No. 2 in Pancrase's middleweight rankings, looks to climb the ladder even further with a victory over Izuru Takeuchi (Pictures). "SK Absolute" fighter Takeuchi, a former King of Pancrase himself and the current No. 1 challenger for the crown he lost to Yuichi Nakanishi (Pictures) last December, will be the toughest test to date for the 21-year-old grappler who trains under BTT black belt Roan "Jucão" Carneiro.

One step ahead is the Lithuanian "Tiger" Kestutis Arbocius (Pictures): The 32-year-old Karateka won the Pancrase heavyweight tournament last year but failed to claim his title due to injury. UFC and PRIDE veteran Assuerio Silva (Pictures) splashed between the "Tiger" and his crown when he won the vacant title in May with a TKO victory over Tatsuya Mizuno (Pictures).

Now Arbocius and Silva will battle it out for the undisputed title of King of Pancrase when the two clash at the ninth stop of Pancrase's rising tour on October 14 at the Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

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