Stefan Struve is finally set to resume his mixed martial arts career.
The popular UFC heavyweight will fight Matt Mitrione at UFC 175, the UFC announced Thursday.
Struve (25-6) was diagnosed with a rare heart condition last August but has received full medical clearance to resume competing. He hasn’t fought since a knockout loss to Mark Hunt last March in Japan.
The 26-year-old native of Netherlands, who is the tallest fighter in UFC history, suffered from a leaking aortic valve and enlarged heart. He has undergone treatment to fix the problem.
“My body was only functioning at 60 or 70 percent. Because of that, my body was way more prone to viruses and all that, so I got sick a lot. It was horrible. But I’m back,” Struve told USA Today in April. “I left a year behind me that was the most difficult year of my life, but now I’m here. I’m back, and I want to fight. I want to show that I’m one of the best heavyweights in the world. I really feel like I’ve got another shot at all of this and I’m better than I’ve ever been.”
Struve holds notable UFC wins over Stipe Miocic, Lavar Johnson, Dave Herman and Pat Barry.
Mitrione (7-3) is coming off a knockout win over Shawn Jordan on March 1.
UFC 175 is headlined by a middleweight title bout between Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida. The July 5 event also features Ronda Rousey defending her women’s bantamweight title against Canadian Alexis Davis, plus Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva battle in an anticipated grudge match.
