The pair previously met when they were both contracted under the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 137 in October 2011 with Nelson winning via third-round TKO. The two were scheduled to meet at Bellator 200 last May, but "Cro Cop" was forced to withdraw with an injury.
Ahead of this weekend's fight, a photo emerged of Filipovic looking in rare physical form, leading some fans to suggest that the 44-year-old has been taking some sort of steroid to assist him with the healing process as a result from his injuries. “Cro Cop” has admitted in the past to using a growth hormone.
So, Cro Cop "passed multiple drug tests" for his fight with Roy Nelson this weekend?
— JustBleedMMA (@JustBleedMMA) February 12, 2019
Sure, Jan. pic.twitter.com/hpMp3MneVf
Filipovic spoke to MMA Fighting and dismissed claims from fans he was taking a prohibited substance ahead of his fight against “Big Country”(via MMAMania.com):
“You know how people are, so many stupid comments,” Filipovic said. “This, that … I’m a very dedicated man. I spent five, six hours rehabilitation process every day. I managed to recover. After six, seven weeks I start to jog again. I had a fight also. Leg wasn’t recovered enough. But anyway I accepted the fight. I am recovered now.”