Up-and-coming UFC prospect Goran Reljic has gotten the go-ahead to begin light training after having surgery last February to repair a back injury sustained while training for his 185-pound fight against Thales Leites at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" in October 2008, according to MMAFighting.com.
Leites would go on to defeat replacement Drew McFedries and earn a shot at middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva at UFC 97. The rest is (cough) history.
From Reljic's manager Zoran Saric:
"I have to be very specific on his programs for rehabilitation and training because he likes to train and spar like he fights, and the human body is just not made to take pressure like that especially on back and joints where fighters get hurt the most. [The] UFC is waiting very patiently for his comeback and I can’t tell [you] how much Goran is waiting to step in Octagon again."
Reljic is a 24-year-old undefeated Croatian fighter who stopped Wilson Gouveia via technical knockout in his debut performance for the promotion at UFC 84: "Ill Will" back in May 2008. He trains with the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in London, England, where he is a purple belt.
Goran also made headlines last year after diving into the ocean in the middle of the night to pull two men from a car that had crashed into the sea.
In addition, he is the protege of former UFC heavyweight fighter, Mirko Cro Cop. Expect big things from this guy when he returns.