The Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri is ready and waiting for the stacked Strikeforce soiree to commence this Saturday.
The main event may pit Robbie Lawler against Jake Shields; however, arguably the biggest star that will walk into the arena on June 6 is former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.
“The Pitbull” is coming off a devastating and disappointing loss to WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko at the Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” event that was held earlier this year in January 2009.
As a result, he now sits at 15–6 in his professional MMA career and will attempt to get win number sweet 16 when he squares off with undefeated up-and-comer Brett Rogers. Arlovski would like nothing more than to defeat “The Grim” and get back to his winning ways.
With the event now just one day away, he graciously took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions regarding Emelianenko, his desire to pursue professional boxing, Brett Rogers, and more.
Check it out.
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): You’re coming off a loss against Fedor Emelianenko at the last Affliction event. Were you feeling confident that you were executing your game plan up to the point where Fedor caught you, and what did you learn from the fight as a result?
Andrei Arlovski: I didn’t fight to my game plan. It’s that simple. All my trainers were right about it. I have to be more disciplined. After this I was meeting with all my trainers and we found out what was working for me, and I have to follow next time my game plan. I have to trust my trainers 100 percent.
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): After the fight, your boxing coach Freddie Roach said that Fedor simply “got lucky” with his punch. Do you feel the same way?
Andrei Arlovski: For me that doesn’t make sense now whether he was lucky or not. He caught me. He knocked me out. This is fact. He got the best of me. Of course I still hurt after this. I am going to chase him everywhere and hope I can one day face him again. Next time I’ll be much smarter than I was before.
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): Of course, you’re a former UFC champion, and the aforementioned Fedor has always been a guy that fans have wanted to see come to the UFC. Do you expect Fedor to ever join the UFC?
Andrei Arlovski: I don’t know. It would be up to his management team. I don’t know if he wants to fight in the UFC or not. I don’t know.
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): Who do you expect to win between Fedor and Josh Barnett in August?
Andrei Arlovski: I think that Fedor is going to beat Josh Barnett. It’s not disrespect to Josh Barnett, but for me I think Fedor is going to keep winning all his fights and I am going to face him again.
(Phone briefly cuts out)
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): Hello again, sorry about that.
Andrei Arlovski: Yes, I am sorry. It is a bad connection because I am in the trunk. I am driving to workout with all my trainers, and I am in the trunk, you know? (laughs)
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): Okay (laughs). Well, hopefully you have enough oxygen in there to finish the interview! Back to business. Now everyone knows you’re one of the biggest stars on the Affliction roster. How come you decided to fight at the Strikeforce event and not the Affliction event on August 1?
Andrei Arlovski: Both Affliction and Strikeforce gave me the option to fight on Showtime for Strikeforce, and I took the fight. Why not?
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): If you are fortunate enough to come away with a victory over Brett Rogers, will it be your intention to pursue the Strikeforce heavyweight belt that currently belongs to Alistair Overeem?
Andrei Arlovski: I don’t know much. I will talk to the organization and see what is the toughest fight.
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): Will your next fight be under the Strikeforce banner or Affliction?
Andrei Arlovski: I am sorry. I can’t give you much about my contract. I can give you more information after this fight. It is up to Strikeforce and my manager, so they have to find out.
Derek Bolender (BleacherReport.com): Do you still intend to pursue your pro boxing career as well?
Andrei Arlovski: Yes, after June 6 I will have a match on June 27 at the Staples Center.
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