Recently I was watching The Fight Network, and I caught a pre-fight interview with Ben Rothwell and Andrei Arlovski.
Arlovski seemed to be looking past Rothwell and had his sights set on a bigger trophy. "Of course, I'd like to fight Tim Sylvia again," he said, "but Fedor is the best in the world, and I'd love to fight him also."
I was trying to hold back that cat that swallowed the canary grin, because my gal pal (not an MMA fan) was sitting on the other side of the couch and had no idea why I was smiling so much.
I liked everything Arlovski had to say in that interview; except the part about fighting big Tim Sylvia again. Andrei says he has given up all his bad habits and is totally focused now (even hiring famous boxing trainer Freddie Roach to train him).
The fight against Rothwell proved that Arlovski was telling the truth and many people agreed that he looked like the Arlovski of old.
Well, now it looks like he is going to get a shot at the man who holds the WAMMA belt and is considered to be the world's best heavyweight MMA fighter: Fedor Emelianenko.
Many websites, including mmamania.com, are reporting that the fight is slated for Oct. 11 in Las Vegas. Here's hoping that eight weeks or better is enough time for Andrei Arlovski to prepare for the biggest fight of his career.
I've always been an Arlovski fan, and I'm extremely excited to see how he fares against Fedor.
Arlovski has always had a huge overhand right. He has great boxing skills and is no slouch on the ground. His good lateral movement and possibly Freddie Roach in his corner, will definitely make this a fight to watch.
Of course, we all wanted to see Randy Couture face off against Fedor. Greed, money and bickering over contracts has made the possibility of that fight all but a distant memory.
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2 months ago
I can't wait for this one. I am going to pick Arlovski when I do my predictions for this card. Then everyone else will tell me how stupid I am, and I will continue not to care what anyone else thinks.
2 months ago
Yep, AA hopefully wins and takes the P4P away from FE. Jason.....your not stupid.
from 2 months ago
No, because you're both stupid....
Learn from your mistakes, swallow your pride and admit the inevitable.
Bring in the next lamb to the slaughterhouse....
from 2 months ago
Wow I am glad you can brag like you had some part in Fedor being a good fighter.
2 months ago
no, we all didn't want to see Randy face Fedor. fans who don't know any better want to see that. For fans that do know better, Barnett or AA would be the logical choices.
2 months ago
I'm glad to see that Affliction(I'm assuming its their card??) is already plannin another ppv. We'll see what Dana White pull's out of his ass this time around... I'd love to see Arvlosky with this one, but Fedor is a beast. Should be a great fight. And I personally would love to see Couture fight Fedor, or the winner of this fight for that matter. He's a great fighter and I don't see why he's not deserving of a fight for the belt. Especially if Sylvia apparently was...
2 months ago
Dana does nothing because he will put Anderson Silva on a free card again at UFC 89 in England. That card already looks good and will only get better with that fight. Fedor will win, but it will go a couple rounds before it is stopped. Fedor late in 2nd rd by Sub.
2 months ago
I would be pleased with either one in this fight but I think Fedor is gonna take it. This will be an exciting match up. I want to see what the rest of the fight card looks like.
2 months ago
Stoker, I love this article. I love AA and enjoyed seeing him fight and and win! Wow, and what an opportunity for him now--Fedor==whew! But I am worried that he won't be able to win against this Legend and would have a better chance against Couture. I was not aware of Fedor before, I had seen him in Pride fights but he was so ordinary looking that he made no impression on me. Now I am so in awe after actually paying attention and realizing who he was, I can't imagine ANYBODY beating him.
You must be psychic to think about me and the canary reference, cause not only does it have the meaning you intended, canaries were used in coal mines to warn of danger. I think Fedor is the danger this time, so the canary is appropriate times two, in this case. Good for you and great job on the article. Love it!
from 2 months ago
...thank you very much dee!!!!
2 months ago
I think AA has a better shot than Couture, but thats not saying a whole lot.
2 months ago
I expect Fedor to win this one, but Arlovski is the kind of fighter who could potentially give Fedor trouble. Arlovski is extremely athletic for a heavyweight. He has great/quick footwork and very quick and powerful striking!
He will fare MUCH better that Sylvia did!!!!
2 months ago
I agree with you nick 100%!! AA has amazing boxing skills and im sure he will hire Freddie Roach to work with him again..Fedor is the man!! but i think he may have his hands full here if he tries to out- box AA.(thanks again dee!!..your in-put is much respected and im a big fan of all your articles/stoker.
from 2 months ago
Luv you too!
2 months ago
*> to correct a date mistake) mma mania has it listed as oct 11(which is a saturday so that makes more sense)...other websites have not confirmed any date as of yet.
2 months ago
Bryan, of cource you are right ..but unless you have been living in a cave for the past year;some fans believe the new... lol (or old) and improved Randy Couture (who demolished Gonzaga and big Tim) is the uncrowned king of the heavyweights...Josh Barnette has a win over Randy but later tested positive for steroids in /02.AA Lost twice to Tim in 06/ and has only recently got his shit together...So at the time Randy Couture "beat the man.. that beat the man",and his next logical test(since Pride FC folded) was fedor!!
2 months ago
Bryan, of cource you are right ..but unless you have been living in a cave for the past year;some fans believe the new... lol (or old) and improved Randy Couture (who demolished Gonzaga and big Tim) is the uncrowned king of the heavyweights...Josh Barnette has a win over Randy but later tested positive for steroids in /02.AA Lost twice to Tim in 06/ and has only recently got his shit together...So at the time Randy Couture "beat the man.. that beat the man",and his next logical test(since Pride FC folded) was fedor!!
2 months ago
(news from 411 mania9mma)Hot on the heels of their debut show this past weekend, word has gotten out that the Afflictions's next event will be on October 11th from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The main event for the card will be another heavyweight dream match, as Fedor Emelianenko will take on Andrei Arlovski.
The show has not been officially announced yet, but Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports has confirmed the date and the main event after speaking to Thomas & Mack arena director Daren Libonati. Libonati is a big supporter of MMA, and was a key player in bringing PRIDE to Las Vegas for their first U.S. event back on October 21, 2006.
Emelianenko will likely be defending his newly-won WAMMA heavyweight championship at the event. He won the belt on Saturday with his 36 second submission win over Tim Syliva. Arlovski was also victorious this past weekend, as he defeated IFL standout Ben Rothwell via KO early in round three.
The show has not been officially confirmed by Affliction, but it should be made official in an announcement on Tuesday.
2 months ago
(news from 411 mania9mma)Hot on the heels of their debut show this past weekend, word has gotten out that the Afflictions's next event will be on October 11th from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The main event for the card will be another heavyweight dream match, as Fedor Emelianenko will take on Andrei Arlovski.
The show has not been officially announced yet, but Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports has confirmed the date and the main event after speaking to Thomas & Mack arena director Daren Libonati. Libonati is a big supporter of MMA, and was a key player in bringing PRIDE to Las Vegas for their first U.S. event back on October 21, 2006.
Emelianenko will likely be defending his newly-won WAMMA heavyweight championship at the event. He won the belt on Saturday with his 36 second submission win over Tim Syliva. Arlovski was also victorious this past weekend, as he defeated IFL standout Ben Rothwell via KO early in round three.
The show has not been officially confirmed by Affliction, but it should be made official in an announcement on Tuesday.
2 months ago
After the AA and Sylvia fight I saw no confidence fromm AA after that. Even with a new improve and more AA I don't see him beating Fedor standing or on the ground. I have never seen a more complete fighter than Fedor. I have seen Fedor take a Crcop kick in the head a Randleman slam and Mark Hunt punch and Naguera(I for got How to spell his name) on the ground. Syvia proved that AA has a weak chin, he said he did and proved he did. I say Fedor wins by means of Ground and Pound and if AA makes it to the 21nd round I will be surprised, but the great thing about mma is anything can and it just might happen, so AA does have a shot to win. But 9 times out of 10 I give it to Fedor.
2 months ago
I wish this one was still on. I have long been an AA fan and hope he just pummels Fedor. Lets not forget that AA also stopped Sylvia rather quickly once and was on his way to a second time before getting caught. Lets not talk about the last one in which he was injured. Fedor is amazing but this is one upset I would love to see. Outside of Fedor I believe AA is the best Heavy out there.
2 months ago
sorry dudes..Fedor has been forced to pull out of his upcoming Affliction fight against Andrei Arlovski,due to being unable to clear medical.Josh Barnett will take his place.
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