Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic delivered on his promise to exact revenge as he stopped Gabriel Gonzaga in the third round of their long-awaited heavyweight rematch in Krakow. Eight years after their first encounter in which Gonzaga delivered a stunning knockout, Filipovic endured a tough opening two sessions before making his move. Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic made a slow start against Gabriel Gonzaga . After dropping his rival to the canvas, he finished the job with his elbows before the referee stepped in. Filipovic had not fought in the UFC since 2011 and made a slow start as Gonzaga stalked his opponent, trying to land with his hands. Brazilian Gonzaga attempts a leg lock submission against Filipovic . He took the fight to the floor, looking for the finish, but Filipovic defended well and pulled free, albeit conceding the round in the process. And Gonzaga continued to dominate in the second round, catching a kick and taking Filipovic to the ground and there they stayed for the remainder of a session that also went Gonzaga's way. But the fight was turned on its head in what proved to be the final round. After a clinch against the cage, Filipovic launched an assault on the break, dropping his opponent after repeated blows on the inside. Referee Leon Roberts stops the fight after Filipovic dropped his rival . Once down, Gonzaga was clearly in trouble and as the blows reined in, the referee stepped in to stop the punishment. In the co-main event, London's Jimi Manuwa made a successful return to the Octagon after a year on the sidelines by outpointing Jan Blachowicz. Manuwa had never been beyond the second round in his career but this cagey affair looked destined to be left in the hands of the judges from the opening stages. Jimi Manuwa celebrates after his decision victory over Jan Blachowicz of Poland . In the end, the visitor was given the nod by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28. There was mixed results for the other two Brits on the card as Stevie Ray enjoyed a winning debut with a second-round stoppage of Marcin Bandel but Joanne Calderwood was submitted by Maryna Moroz in the first round.
Cro Cop enjoyed revenge with third round knockout in Krakow . Referee stepped in after Filipovic dropped Gabriel Gonzaga to floor . Jimi Manuwa made successful return by outpointing Jan Blachowicz .