The Tap-Out 04.20.06: Andrei Arlovski
Posted by Caleb Newby on 04.20.2006
A closer look at the UFC's Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski and thoughts on what's next for the dynamic fighter!
Hey all. I'm Caleb and welcome to the debut article of The Tap-Out. And yes, I really did name the column that. This naming thing is way easier until you have to come up with one of your own to actually use. Just be thankful I didn't call it "The Kimura", "The Anaconda Choke", or "The RNC".
We're going to be talking a lot of UFC and PRIDE here in the weeks to come. Before we get into that though, if you haven't joined the forums here at 411, do so now. We have a good group in the sports section talking Mixed Martial Arts but can use more. Most all of the guys from the roundtable post regularly in there too, so if we really bomb our predictions you can let us all have it at once. Also, at the end of this you can look forward to a little snippet about who I am. Can't promise this is the last time I'll do that, but it most likely will be.
Alright, time for the meat and potatoes. Let's get to know the now former UFC Heavyweight Champion just a little bit better.
Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski
Record: 11-4
Age: 27
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 240lbs
Hometown: Chicago, IL (born in Minsk, Belarus)
Style: Sambo/Kickboxing
Fighting Style: With a background in Sambo, Arlovski is quite capable while fighting on the ground. Sambo is a Russian martial art with a strong emphasis on the ground game. But while this was Andrei's initial style of fighting, his matches of late have shown him preferring to trade blows on his feet. This usually ends with Arlovski's opponent on his back and rocked by a powerful Arlovski right.
Mini Bio: Born in Belarus, Andrei began his martial art career studying Sambo while a part of the Police Academy. After becoming on of the premier Sambo practitioners, Andrei went on to study kickboxing. Shortly thereafter, Andrei started competing in mixed martial arts events. Since arriving on the scene in the UFC and taking a couple losses early on, Andrei tore through his competition on his way to a six fight winning streak. Entering the prime of his career Andrei rose to dominant status. Standing head and shoulders above his closest UFC heavyweight competition, the only threats to his title were thought to reside in the Japanese promotion PRIDE.
At the recently concluded UFC 59, Arlovski was the overwhelming favorite in a rematch against the former champion, Tim Sylvia. Arlovski once again rocked Sylvia, showing shades of their last battle, taking Sylvia down with a lunging right. Unfortunately for Arlovski, Sylvia rebounded before Arlovski could finish him. Merely seconds later, Sylvia somehow had found his way to his feet after taking a powerful blow and caught Arlovski with an uppercut, sending him to the mat. Sylvia was able to take back control and the won the fight after the ref called the fight as Arlovski was unable to defend himself against Sylvia's punches. Sylvia stunned the crowd with an improbable victory to capture the UFC Heavyweight Title.
Future: Arlovski, who was only a week ago considered unbeatable by any of the UFC heavyweights on the roster is now the challenger for the title he so dominantly defended. Having just signed a contract extension to stay with Dana White's UFC, there is an inevitable rubber match down the road against Sylvia where Arlovski will have a chance to redeem himself. The question is if he will have a match to become the number one contender first. On the plus side for Andrei, the extreme lack of depth at heavyweight means that it shouldn't take too long to regardless.
But whatever momentum he had been gathering to be considered on par with the best in PRIDE has certainly been damaged. Only a fight against a top heavyweight will quiet his harshest critics, whether it be Crocop, Big Nog, or *gulp* Fedor. Sadly none of these matchups seem likely to happen with Arlovski's strong commitment to remain in the UFC.
My thoughts: From what I have heard it is likely that Arlovski and Sylvia will be fighting other opponents first, and barring an upset, will then meet in a rematch with a little build up first. Looking ahead to that match, I really can't find myself thinking that Sylvia will be able to repeat and take the Pitbull down again. My theory is that Arlovski was getting a little comfortable as HW champ and into the hype around him. A determined, motivated Arlovski with something to prove should be far too much for Sylvia. Sylvia benefited from an overeager and sloppy Arlovski at the end of that fight. That shouldn't be the case next time.
Glad you stuck around for my inaugural column here at 411. I'll be back next week taking a look at another UFC or PRIDE star, along with my thoughts on the latest MMA news and gossip. The following is a little something about me. If that's not your thing, have a good one, and I'll see ya next week.
If you've stuck around, here's my (brief) story. I've been a reader of 411 since… well, at least since Hyatte's start here in the wrestling section years ago. I'm actually a red stripe Scoops veteran when it comes to the internet wrestling community. I might not be your typical 411 wrestling guy though. I like Kane. I dislike Rey Mysterio. And right now HHH is the man. But that's all for a different section.
Other than Mixed Martial Arts and wrestling, I am a huge Green Bay Packer fan. And for the record, I don't think Favre is hurting the team by taking this long to decide retirement. He still has time and Ted Thompson (Packers GM) has made no indication that Favre has been anything but forthcoming with him.
For you interactive types, hit me up with some feedback if there is a fighter you'd like to see profiled in a future column. Otherwise, be sure to check out the other UFC columns that are starting to pop up around 411 these days like wildfires. And join the forums!
