From November 22, 2002 to April 15, 2006 former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski made history by becoming one of the most upsetting fighters in UFC.
During that time he defeated notable favorites Ian Freeman, Vladimir Matyushenko, Wesley Correira, Tim Sylvia, Justin Eilers, and Paul Buentello with devastating hand speed, boxing technique, and sixth-sense submission skills on par to no one in UFC at the time.
He was an underdog, a passionate, Belarusian champion the crowd had to learn to respect. He was the first UFC Heavyweight champ to be booed after knocking out his opponent, Buentello, 15 seconds into the fight.
Across the Pacific Ocean in Japan's UFC equivalent, Pride Fighting Championships, a fellow citizen of the Eastern Bloc created a tsunami, taking nearly twice as many fights as Arlovski in the same period of time and building a similarly skeptical reputation as an MMA contendor.
Unlike Arlovski, he hushed his critics with round-the-clock victories stemming from a will tempered by hunger. He gained the moniker "the Last Emperor," but he should be known as the First Emperor for delivering such an impeccable record with astounding fights.
Also, unlike Arlovski, the fans grew to love him indiscriminately.
His younger brother Aleksander commented in an April 7th interview that "[he and Fedor] already beat everyone in Japan, even though no one bet on [them]." Despite his string of victories and consistent underdog status in his early days of Pride contention, no one booed Fedor for his accomplishments.
The "Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko and Andre "the Pitbull" Arlovski should have fought years ago, long before Fedor's complicit stand-off alongside M-1 Global in the developing Cold War with UFC, and certainly long before Arlovski took a manic turn for the worst by losing sight of what makes him one of the top ten fighters in the world.
However, Affliction's Day of Reckoning will bring the MMA fighters together on January 24th for a fight that puts nothing but pressure on Arlovski's shoulders.
Suprisingly, few have lent an ear to this fight with few, if any, win predictions or pre-fight analysis. Maybe it was overshadowed by the Lesnar-Couture Championship bout? The hype surrounding that match turned heads at ESPN, so it certainly is a factor.
Perhaps Affliction-Golden Boy hasn't been marketing the bout as aggressively as they should be?
With De laHoya, the face of Golden Boy entertainment, gearing up for his anomalous boxing match against Manny Pacquiao, Emelianenko shooting a film in Thailand, and Donald Trump working on his comb-over and future catch phrases, it's possible the bout got lost in the melee of the UFC-Affliction/M-1 promotion war that's ensued.
Or maybe everyone has counted Arlovski out.
It makes sense doesn't it?
His golden days in the UFC were quickly followed by gloomy performances: spectators wanted the electric, passionate Arlovski and had no compassion to spare after his twin losses to Tim Sylvia. Despite his overwhelming talent, Arlovski was released from his contract with UFC.
17 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Brian Oswald 7 months ago
Very well written and well assembled article - had almost a poetic or fictional storytelling feel. You are finding your voice for MMA writing. I too hope the best Arlovski we have seen shows up and perhaps an epic battle will unfold before us. I am doubtful of course, but will remain cautiously optimistic. POTD
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brandon mcclinton 7 months ago
I appreciate it, and thanks for the pick of the day vote.
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Nate Double 7 months ago
I second the above. Great article on a topic that hasn't been getting enough press.
I'm rooting for Arlovski. The guy has so much potential and I think a win over Fedor would skyrocket his recognition even though the Affliction fighters don't get much play in the press, even the MMA press. He can take a punch as well as he can dish one out and his kicks are incredible.
I didn't know he was training with Anderson Silva but I'm wondering if that eludes to some heavy clinch work or some great outside striking? I certainly hope so.
Five stars sir.
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brandon mcclinton 7 months ago
thanks man, i really want arlovski to win too. i've always thought he was an amazing fighter who for some reason couldn't get his game to the level that fedor and even couture have attained.
i don't think he's training with anderson silva; i think they've both had Freddie Roach as a boxing coach. I just watched Pacquiao/De La Hoya 24/7, and if Roach does for Arlovski what he's done for Pacquiao, Fedor may be in for a loooooong night.
thanks again for checking it out and thanks for the fiver.
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Jeremy Botter 7 months ago
Arlovksi is going to have to bring his A-game and not be content to go for a decision like he's done a lot lately. He'll have to press the action and try to take the fight to Fedor instead of countering, because he'll get burned badly if he tries to get into a tactical game with Emelianenko. It's one of those things where you have to go for broke and put everything you have into finishing him as soon as possible.
I don't think it'll happen, but I am certainly excited for the fight.
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
Anything can happen in MMA, but chances are Arlovski will not survive the initial assault from E-Fed.
Fedor's initial flurries are very hard to read because he trains long and hard to turn his torso in a DIFFERENT direction from which the strike will come -opponents tend to misread his right hand lead or the left hook which he usually sets up by the right cross half fake.
Even harder is to defend or counter attack that initial flurry, because Fedor is very fast, strong, aggressive and has a great chin.
AA's chin is bad, and he has no head movement. This will be a short slaughter most likely.
(But like I said ANYTHING can happen)
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
I take it you think E-Fed is pretty good =)
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
yeah, I can beat Fedor...
I'm really good at Ping Pong!
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
NICE ARTICLE 5 STARS../Anthony and Fedor..
2 peas in a pod..the one and only reason Ants came to B/R, right Ants?well,I can tell you the only guy I know that could throw right hand leads and get away with it ..was THE GREAT Muhammad Ali.
Throwing a right hand lead is sending a direct message to your opponent that you have no respect for his power.
After being trained for months by FREDDIE ROACH..and having NATURAL boxing skills already..I highly doubt that there is any trick THAT a short pudgy guy like Fedor would be able to fool a Freddie Roach trained fighter with.
ANDRE ARLOVSKI IS ALSO SAMBO TRAINED.
FEDOR BEATING EVERYONE IN JAPAN IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT?
WHAT IT ADDS UP TO IS "THE BUM OF THE YEAR CLUB",HAPPENING EVERY NEW YEARS EVE.
FEDOR IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF AN OVERRATED OVER HYPED FIGHTER WHO HAS FOUGHT LOW LEVEL COMPETITION HIS WHOLE CAREER.
I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO FIND ONE GREAT FIGHTER ON FEDORS RECORD THAT IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY!! Big Nog IS FAR FROM GREAT he was beaten up by Tim Sylvia..until he got lucky..and will lose to Frank Mir...ANDRE ARLOVSKI WILL BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF FEDOR..UNLESS FEDOR GETS LUCKY AND TAKES IT TOO THE GROUND...
THANKS FOR LISTENING TO MY 2 CENTS WORTH...ITS YOUR TURN ANTHONY AND NO CHEAP SHOTS!!
/STOKER
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
stoker,
Calling a fighter a bum is fighter-bashing.
If you have trained a day in your life, as you claim you did, you'd show respect for fellow fighters.
Fedor taking any fight to the ground is not luck, it's a perfectly normal and usual progression of an MMA fight, especially when the opponent is better standing than on the ground.
Freddie Roach... Fedor trains with K1's elite strikers like JLB, and great boxers like Povetkin.
At this time there is no evidence to suggest that Roach's training is good for MMA striking, as slow fat Rothwell and Nelson have landed punches on AA's face...
I'm not going to bother responding to your other claims about fedor's opposition, since he has fought more top 10 fighters than anyone sept Nog. And for Christ sakes, get rid of the CAPS lock, and change your tune. Find a new thing to complain about bro.
best,
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Jason Sherrier 7 months ago
Excellent article, I appreciate seeing an MMA post without making outrageous claims to stir up controversy. Informed, fair and interesting articles like this will keep me reading your posts, even though I’m a Fedor fan.
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brandon mcclinton 7 months ago
thanks for reading it, and i'll definitely keep writing.
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
LOL..ANTHONY
fighter bashing???..lmao....I've been calling fighters bums and tomato cans for years(facts are some fighters are bad for the sport) that term was around long before you or sherdog(JOE LOUIS BUM OF THE MONTH CLUB) ...THERE ARE NO GREAT RUSSIAN BOXERS IN RUSSIA..the few good ones ..like Oleg maskaev,Sultan Ibragimov are now US fighters..
FEDOR has done nothing for his loyal fans...HE HAS TURNED DOWN OFFERS THAT WOULD HAVE MADE HIM VERY RICH. IF HE WAS IN THE UFC,..YOU WOULD SEE HIM FIGHT MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY WITH MUCH MORE EXPOSURE..instead he chooses to beat up Japanese fighters AND MIDDLEWEIGHTS LIKE BABALU AND MATT LINDLUND.....if he beats AA..then I will give him some respect,,but untill then..he is just another pride fighter..who has a hyped up reputation..and millions of little boys think he is the "be all-end all"...but he is far from it.. I THINK I COULD TAKE HIM...LMAO..
/STOKER
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
stoker,
Your last sentence confirms that you need professional help.
Paragraphs and less cpas lock would be nice bro.
And if you were calling fighters bums for years, than you have been a fighter-basher for years.
Fedor IS a very rich man. For comparison consider that he gets paid per fight 10 times more than Randy. Let that sink in a little bit.
peace,
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
From December 1940 to May 1941 Joe Louis took on a series of challengers at the rate of one per month. Prior to these bouts neither of the challengers were considered as worthy tests for the champion. Rightly or wrongly, history as labeled this series of fights as “The Bum Of The Month Club”.
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Derek Bolender 7 months ago
I think arlovski has a decent chance in this fight. Like a few of you have stated it depends on which andrei shows up. We should be able to tell within the first minute of the fight. If he is pressing forward and aggressive like he was against nelson I think he has a legitimate shot.
Fedor has never faced a heavyweight with the hands of arlovski and training with freddie roach is only going to help. I think it's a bit disrespectful if someone was to say arlovski only has a puncher's chance in this fight.
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
Sorry if I sounded disrespectful to AA. No disrespect for AA, but he has only a puncher's chance at best in my opinion. Tim outstruck Andrei badly, and Rothwell and Nelson both hit AA on the face a few times without any difficulty. Neither Rothwell nor Nelson know anything about high level MMA striking.
I think Roach is irrelevant because this is not boxing. Besides, AA has a glass jaw.
Definitely no disrespect meant. AA is top 4 fighter at the moment in the entire world. I just think that RELATIVELY speaking he is almost totally and completely screwed in this fight.
I don't see AA being aggressive. That would result in a quick clinch, something that AA needs to avoid like a plague. I'm willing to bet he will try to keep Fed-Ex away with jab and low kick, looking for that right hand instead. Can't wait for the fight. Anything can happen in MMA, it'll be very exciting to watch!
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
MMA STAND UP IS IS THE SAME AS BOXING..IT DOESN'T LOOK THAT WAY BECAUSE VERY FEW ARE GOOD AT IT...THE ONE WHO IS GREAT AT BOXING IS ANDERSON SILVA AND ITS PAID DIVIDENDS AND WELL.,UMM..HONG MAN CHOI??? REMEMBER HIM??..I SEEM TO REMEMBER FEDORA GOING FOR SOME TYPE OF PATHETIC TAKE DOWN AND HONG MAN WINDS UP ON TOP!!!LMAO....
AND FEDOR HAS COME AWAY WITH WINS BY GRABBING THE CAGE!!
AGAINST MIDDLEWEIGHTS LIKE LINDLAND HAHAHAHA
FEDOR HAS LOOKED GREAT AGAINST INFERIOR COMPETITION...LIKE MY FRIEND DEREK ALSO STATED..FEDOR HASNT FACED ANYONE OF ARLOVSKI'S CALIBRE..
LOOK AT THE TAPE AND TELL ME THOSE ARE ANYTHING BUT WILD LITTLE GIRL SWINGS HE TAKES AT TIM SILVIA...ARM STRAIGHT...SWINGING LIKE A WILD WOMAN.!!..IF HE HE TRYS THAT AGAINST ARLOVSKI HIS ASS WILL BE KNOCKED OUT!!! END OF STORY!!
. PS BY YOU PERSONALLY ATTACKING ME BY SAYING I NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP..WONT MAKE YOU ANYMORE CREDIBLE..YOUR ARGUMENT STINKS!!
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
Arlovski has subbed someone in UFC by holding the cage for leverage :)
It's the name of the game friend. they all grab the ropes or cage. Notice that Lindland broke the rules in that fight 4 times INCLUDING grabbing the rope himself...
Listen, what's with the caps lock? To emphasize your rage? lol
To call an underhook Greco takedown attempt "pathetic" would mean your think Lesnar, Randy, Mir and AA are all pathetic because they have all tried that identical takedown in their matches and practice and were not able to secure the takedown half the time.
Maybe you need to stick to watching K1 and boxing man.
Boxing and MMA striking is not the same. Look at Rampage-Forest (low kicks) for example. Pure boxing doesn't work in MMA. And Anderson Silva is not a boxer, he is a Muay thai fighter. His boxing record and experience is very limited (1-1)
About AA's "caliber". Tim outstruck and beat AA standing.
The End.
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
Anderson is a professional boxer with a pro boxing record..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbyKZoiyriM
ps.. that Tim Sylva that fought AA wasnt the same tim that fought fedor...tim tried to put a muay thai clinch on fedor..something he knows nothing about..that proved to me that big tim is either washed up or lost his marbles, the Tim that high kicked Tre Telligman and knocked him out would have beaten Fedora no problem.whats Randy.Mir,AA,Lesnar got to do with the fact that Fedor pulled Hong man Choi down on top of him and couldn't pull off the" greco underhook TAKEDOWN"
http://www.boxrec.com/search.php?status=all&cat=boxer&first_name=ANDERSON+&last_name=SILVA&submit=Go
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
1-1 is a terrible boxing record.
You gave Tim a good shot VS Fedor, saying he has decent boxing technique and "can do it" (beat Fedor)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/37461-tim-sylvia-upset-possible
For you to now conveniently claim that Tim is suddenly no good is a typical predictable and stupid argument, as there is no indication that Tim is worse now than he was years ago. And TIm has trained and used the clinch for years now, nothing new there.
Reading comprehension is not strong with you young Skywalker. You have claimed Fedor missed a "pathetic" takedown attempt. Yet I brought to your attention that some of your favorite fighters have missed the same takedown numerous times. Read alertly please. Use your memory and other things like THOUGHT please next time.
I find your lack of win disturbing, may the fail be with you stoker :)
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
haha..very entertaining, but still makes no sense..1-1 is pretty damned good seeing as he only has 2 fights as a pro...In order to turn pro you must have an AMATEUR carreer I 'VE HAD NO LUCK FINDING IT BUT MOST GUYS THAT TURN PRO HAVE UPWARDS TO 100 FIGHTS OR MORE AS AN AMATEUR..he is even par,and like Ive said before, this is any area of weakness for you Anthony Ascue..
IVE BEATEN YOU MANY TIMES AT THIS SAME ARGUMENT....there is no proof that fedor is anything more than another pride fighter who is afraid to fight in the UFC
Q:If YOU WERE IN THE MINOR LEAGUES PLAYING HOCKEY AND THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS DRAFTED YOU..would you tell them that you would rather stay home and play pond hockey??
WELL THIS IS WHAT FEDOR HAS DONE TO YOU..his loyal fan..he has chosen to fight in a place where you wont be able to see him at his best ..fighting the best..
AFTER HIS UPCOMING LOSS TO ARLOVSKI,,there will be no other to choice but to go to the UFC..that's if Dana will take his sorry ass.
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
Also..it's general consensus now that Tim is washed up..he had Nog in trouble five different times and wouldn't..I repeat wouldn't move in for the kill!!..that's called being a shot fighter..not fighter bashing...shot fighter is a guy that's done ..washed up..maybe it was the busted arm by Mir..or maybe he just got bored with it all -maybe the fact that he was the fans most hated fighter affected him..who knows..he should still be ok..but he isnt..you know it and i know it.
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
Tim wasn't about to go into Nog's guard trying to finish him.
Nobody is that stupid.
Notice that Herring did the same thing, so did Crocop and Fedor. Going into Nog's guard trying to finish him ends very badly, as Coleman has learned once.
Arlovski had the same thing with Werdum, he dropped him and refused to go on the ground trying to finish him. He was harshly criticized for that decision, but Andrei was very smart, he knew that going to the ground trying to finish Werdum is basically stupid.
Hint:
Claiming Tim is considered washed-up, or that you won some internet argument does NOT mean either statement is true.
Finally, according to win/loss records or any rankings UFC at the present does NOT have the best HWs. They only have people Fedor already beat and green young talents. Outside the UFC Fedor gets to fight all the top guys such as your very favorite AA, as well as Barnett.
fail stokz, epic fail as always, you are.
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Stoker Mac 7 months ago
Fedors contract states that he can fight anyone anywhere ..including the UFC.but will he?
10 best heavy's..THESE DUDES I CONSIDER THE BEST(NOG AND AA ARE NOT INCLUDED BUT ARE AMONG THEM))..PUT THEM IN ANY ORDER YOU WANT..POINT IS FEDOR WONT FIGHT THEM.
COUTURE
MIR
BARNETTE
LESNAR
OVEREEM
MONSON
VALASQUEZ
ROTHWELL
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Anthony Pole 7 months ago
Dana White is stopping Fedor from fighting in UFC, because Dana does ONLY and ONLY exclusive contracts, and that is not ok with many guys (Fedor, AA, Barnett, Hansen to name a few)
Couture has turned down 3 mil to fight Fedor, and instead took 10 times less money to fight Tim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onZvJX2LCrM&feature=related
(go to 6:38 and see for yourself)
Mir can't even beat Vera.
Barnett duckd Fedor 4 times.
Lesnar was challenged directly by Fedor recently. Dana will not let this massacre take place obviously.
Overeem lost to Sergei recently.
Monson ducked Fedor and wanted his brother instead.
Cane - lol (don't drink and post stoker)
Rothwell lost to AA recently. Why would Fedor fight him if he can fight a guy that BEAT Rothwell next?
You see stokez, if Fedor was to fight Rothwell, you'd bash him for fighting inferior opposition, and for "ducking" AA.
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