Andrei Arlovski: I will do everything possible to be champion again

Former UFC Heavyweight champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski has had a rollercoaster ride of an MMA career. He won the UFC interim Heavyweight title by submitting Tim Sylvia in 2005, and was later promoted to formal champ. After defending it twice, he gave the belt back to Sylvia the following year, then lost a their trilogy bout.

Undeterred, Arlovski fought back to contention with a five-fight win streak, defeating top Heavyweights Fabricio Werdum, Roy Nelson, and Ben Rothwell. The momentum got him a bout against the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, and he actually was faring quite well against “The Last Emperor” until he was knocked out by a huge right hand.

Arlovski would lose three more in a row before going 4-1(1) in his last six. His mercurial ups and downs find him fighting fellow veteran Mike Kyle in the main event of September 14’s World Series of Fighting 5, but Arlovski told MMA Junkie Radio that his ultimate goal is to get back to the Octagon:

“UFC has the best heavyweight division right now. But my first step is a victory over Mike, so I’m looking forward to Sept. 14, and we’ll see what happens after. But the UFC is the best organization in MMA right now. I have only one personal goal: a champion’s belt around my waist, and that’s it. I will do everything possible to be champion again, and I will do everything possible. That’s why I train with Greg Jackson and other top fighters in MMA. I understand I have a long, long way, but every day, I’m taking a step. Another big step is fighting against Mike Kyle.”

Indeed it a long road back to the UFC, and Arlovski may never find himself back in the bright lights of the Octagon. His chin has become a huge question mark, and his propensity for getting knocked out may be the singe most contributing factor to his fall from grace. Arlovski has sharp boxing, power, and a good set of Sambo skills on the ground.

His journey continues against knockout artist Kyle this Saturday. If Arlovski is knocked out again, talk of his retirement will swirl. Win, and his quest will continue. Can he fight his way back to the UFC?