Interview with former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:20 am
Even before the Fertitta brothers and Dana White entered the picture, heavyweight fighter Andrei Arlovski was wreaking havoc inside the Octagon. He burst onto the scene more than seven years ago, submitting Aaron Brink via armbar at UFC 28: “High Stakes” back in 2000.
Naturally, Arlovski has had his share of ups and downs inside the Octagon since that time during nearly eight years of loyal service.
The pinnacle of his mixed martial arts career came in 2005 when he stopped Tim Sylvia at UFC 51: “Super Saturday” to capture the interim heavyweight title. “The Pitbull” eventually lost the strap to “The Maine-iac” after two successful title defenses.
He’s been working hard to get back on the top of the heap ever since; however, contract struggles outside the cage have kept the talented Belarussian on the sidelines for the better part of 2007. In fact, he’s only competed once this year, earning a unanimous decision win over top-ranked Fabricio Werdum at UFC 70: “Nations Collide” back in April.
UFC President Dana White promised Arlovski another crack at the title with a win before the fight. After the fight, however, it never came. In fact, nothing has come.
Arlovski remains “on the bench” waiting for another opportunity to demonstrate the skills
that helped him — and the organization — become a popular attraction.
We get more e-mails inquiring about the status of Arlovski than perhaps any other fighter, which signals that his fan base is still strong … and hungry.
Naturally, Arlovski has had his share of ups and downs inside the Octagon since that time during nearly eight years of loyal service.
The pinnacle of his mixed martial arts career came in 2005 when he stopped Tim Sylvia at UFC 51: “Super Saturday” to capture the interim heavyweight title. “The Pitbull” eventually lost the strap to “The Maine-iac” after two successful title defenses.
He’s been working hard to get back on the top of the heap ever since; however, contract struggles outside the cage have kept the talented Belarussian on the sidelines for the better part of 2007. In fact, he’s only competed once this year, earning a unanimous decision win over top-ranked Fabricio Werdum at UFC 70: “Nations Collide” back in April.
UFC President Dana White promised Arlovski another crack at the title with a win before the fight. After the fight, however, it never came. In fact, nothing has come.
Arlovski remains “on the bench” waiting for another opportunity to demonstrate the skills
that helped him — and the organization — become a popular attraction.
We get more e-mails inquiring about the status of Arlovski than perhaps any other fighter, which signals that his fan base is still strong … and hungry.