MMA Fighter Bios: ANDREI ARLOVSKI

ANDREI ARLOVSKI

BORN: Minsk, Belarus
6’4, heavyweight

“The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski at one point was one of the most feared and dangerous opponents any heavyweight could stand across.
Arlovksi would lose his inaugural fight in MMA in 1999, but he was back up and ready to go. He scored 3 wins, all stoppages, and get a chance to take on Aaron Brink in the UFC. Showing some slick Sambo skill, Arlovski tapped out the American via armbar.
Arlovski’s next two fights in the Octagon were defeats at the hands and fists of Pedro Rizzo and Ricco Rodriguez. But once again, Arlovski was able to come back and return to glory after defeat. Returning to action 6 months later, Arlovski would begin a process of lighting up the UFC heavyweight division. He took out Ian Freeman via TKo in round 1, came back a year later to KO Vladimir Matyushenko in under two minutes as well, and then finished off the granite-chinned Hawaiin, Wesley “Cabbage” Correira. The interim UFC heavyweight title was on the line when Arlovski took on Tim Sylvia, and the Belarussian made quick work of Sylvia, tapping him out on the ground via achilles lock, after flooring his opponent with a big punch. Justin Eilers would be his first defence and Arlovsk finished him with strikes, as he did with a big knockout in 15 seconds over Paul Buentello.
Arlovski was rolling through heavyweights and a very scary opponent who showed hyper-aggression and dominance in the cage. It appeared he was on route to defeating Tim Sylvia again in April 2006, but the American made an incredible turnaround and dropped Arlovski and finished him off with strikes. In the rubber match in an attempt to regain his title, Arlovski came up short and looked tentative and very unlike his unusual super aggressive style of fighting. Arlovski would return to win over Marcio Cruz, Fabrio Werdum and Jake O’Brien in the UFC. He defeated Ben rothwell by KO in Affliction, took out Roy Neslson by KO and all of a sudden he had a 5 fight win streak, 4 KOs in a row and had a chance to prove he was the top dog at heavyweight against Fedor Emelianenko. Arlovski was doing quite well against the top heavyweight in the world, and appeared to be taking over the fight. But just as we and Arlovski though that, a flying knee attempt by the Belarussian was quickly countered by a big right hand that knocked Arlovski out cold.
Arlovski has since been taken out by Brett Rogers, and once again the Belarussian faces another tough period in his career. But just like before we’ll wait and see if Arlovski can take his championship heart and once again rise up the ranks towards the cream of the crop at heavyweight, and add to his legacy.
PITBULL CREDENTIALS
UFC Heavyweight Champion
UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion
M-1 MFC-European Heavyweight Champion
PITBULL VICTORIES
15 wins
11 knockouts
3 submission
1 decision