Andrei Arlovski: Giving Up Was Never an Option As he Beats Cancer Ahead of BKFC Fight
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski recently opened up about his journey from battling stage four cancer to earning a shot at the BKFC title.
Earlier this week on World Cancer Day, which falls on the same day as his birthday, the 47-year-old took to Instagram and shared with followers how cancer tried to break him three times, but he never gave up.
“Today – #WordCancerDay !!! I AM 3 TIMES SURVIVOR !!!! From my past …… Cancer tried to BREAK me three times !!! Three BATTLES , three times I CHOSE TO LIVE 🥊💔➡️💪 !!! And today I AM 47 !!!!!)))) @warlovski_andrei”
In the same post, he also informed fans that he will compete for the BKFC World Heavyweight Championship against champion Ben Rothwell on February 7 at BKFC Knucklemania VI:
“I’m STILL HERE — BREATHING 😮💨, MOVING , FIGHTING , btw my TITLE FIGHT is FEBRUARY 7th @bareknucklefc — because GIVING UP was never AN OPTION !!!!! This situation – TAUGHT me to listen MY BODY , protect my HEALTH and respect RECOVERY ❤️🩹 🙌🏼 plus OF COURSE DOCTORS 🥼 and my FAMILY @milana_arlovskaya”
Rothwell and Arlovski have competed twice under different banners, and ‘The Pitbull’ has been on the winning end both times. This is their first meeting under the BKFC banner.
Andrei Arlovski also added that his philosophy behind training is to stay alive and not just to be strong.
“Proud TO STAND with @thearlovskimethod — TRAINING is NOT just to be STRONG , but to STAY ALIVE 🔥”
Lastly, he added some words of motivation for others who are having a rough time at the moment.
“To EVERYONE who is FIGHTING right now – YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!! Keep going 👊”
Check out Andrei Arlovski’s post below:
Notably, the 58-fight MMA veteran boasts a 34–24 pro-MMA record and also has the most wins in UFC heavyweight history (23).
Pros react to Andrei Arlovski’s journey
While most fighters will refuse to step inside the unforgiving BKFC ring, Andrei Arlovski is doing just that after battling cancer.
This weekend, Andrei Arlovski will look to become the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship heavyweight world champion by dethroning Ben Rothwell and handing the latter a third straight loss in their trilogy, this time with hand wraps on.
Mike Perry, Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping, and others have reacted to Arlovski’s grit and never-give-up attitude.
Check out some of the reactions below:
