Arlovski Interview - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell · 02-29-2008, 11:46 AM

Andrei Arlovski Discusses UFC 82 — An MMAjunkie.com Interview -- MMAjunkie.com

Saturday’s UFC 82 event marks former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski’s first fight in nearly 11 months. The big question is whether it’ll be his last one in the organization.

With just one bout remaining on his current UFC contract, Arlovski becomes a free agent after tomorrow’s fight with Jake O’Brien.

And while there’s been a lot of speculation about a potential rift between the UFC and Arlovski’s management team, neither side has confirmed it lately.

In fact, during Wednesday’s pre-UFC 82 press conference, UFC president Dana White was asked about Arlovski and his whether he’ll re-sign with the organization. Did the UFC’s head honcho want to tag the heavyweight fighter with a parting shot?

Not so much.

“Andrei is a guy we want (in the UFC),” White said. “I think we’ll get it done.“

Arlovski is sure to have plenty of suitors, but it appears the UFC isn’t willing to let him go so easily.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) contacted Arlovski for his side of the situation and conducted an e-mail interview. However, the 29-year-old Belarusian was tight-lipped about any potential hard feelings with the UFC or a possible departure for greener pastures. Basically, Arlovski is just happy to be fighting again.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Let’s start with the obvious big question: will this be your final fight in the UFC?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: I hope not, but this question should really be directed with the UFC.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: During the past few months, UFC President Dana White has stated that you weren’t “benched” and that you had, in fact, been offered fights in the UFC. Is this true? what were some of those fights?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: It would be neither professional nor ethical for me to discuss conversations between Dana and my management team in public. Therefore, this question should be directed to Dana.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Are you satisfied with the Jake O’Brien fight? Is this a fight you specifically wanted?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: In my entire career I have never chosen my opponents. I am a UFC fighter and whomever they ask me to fight, I fight. Jake O’Brien is a very tough opponent with a perfect record. I look forward to be returning to the octagon.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: How would you characterize your current relationship with the UFC?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: I have a very good working relationship with the UFC.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: I have to ask: do you feel like you’re being punished since they put your fight on the UFC 82 preliminary card? This is the first time in the past 10 fights — the first time in more than four years — that you’re on the preliminary card.

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: My job is to fight and do everything I can to win my fights. It is the UFC’s job to promote, and it’s up to them where they put my fight. I am a fighter, not a promoter.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: You’ve haven’t fought since April 2007. Has the long layoff affected you in any way? Do you ever worry about ring rust?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: I missed fighting and I missed being in the octagon, but I did not just sit around.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: You face an interesting opponent in Jake O’Brien. First of all, he’s coming off a fairly significant injury and surgery. I know it may not sound like the most tasteful question, but how much does his back and neck injuries factor into your gameplan? Can you use his weakness to your advantage?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: Jake O’Brien is a very good, well-rounded fighter. I look forward to testing my skills against him. I did not study his medical charts and do not know the extent of his injuries. My goal is to go in there and perform to the best of my abilities and use my techniques and strengths to win the fight. His injuries need to be looked at by doctors, and if doctors clear him, that is all that matters.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: What do you say to the fans who think O’Brien will simply use his stellar wrestling skills to hold you down and grind out a boring decision?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: I like to do all my talking in the octagon.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: What have you specifically focused on in preparation for this fight? Did you work extensively on your ground game?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: My training has been the same as always.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Do you think a victory over O’Brien substantially improves your worldwide ranking — or is O’Brien just too inexperienced and too unknown at this point?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: As I stated before, my job is to win the fight. I do not choose my opponents. I have a contract with the UFC, and they choose my opponents for me.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: You haven’t fought in Ohio, but the Ohio crowds always seems go to nuts for you. Is it like that everywhere — or there is some type of special connection with the Midwest fans?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: I am grateful to my fans for their support, especially while being inactive. It meant a lot to me. Last time I was in Ohio I was received really well by them. Again, I am really grateful for their support. I will do everything in my power on March 1 to deliver a great performance for my fans.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: As far as life after the UFC, what’s the plan? What do you do once your UFC contract is fulfilled this weekend?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: Right now I am concentrating on my fight March 1 against Jake O’Brien.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: What are the odds that fans might see you fight Fedor Emelianenko in the next 12 months?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: That question can be better answered and therefore directed to Dana and Fedor. But I guess anything is possible in this life.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: I think a lot of people were hoping to see you fight Randy Couture in the UFC. Do you want that fight?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: There has been a lot of rumors and speculation about Randy lately. I do not want to participate in them. I am a fighter. I want to fight the best fighters out there and continue to improve my fighting skills.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: This is a bit of a philosophical question, but do you think a heavyweight fighter such as yourself can ever truly be considered No. 1 and defend that ranking without fighting in the UFC? In other words, does a fighter need the UFC to be a clear-cut No. 1 fighter?

ANDREI ARLOVSKI: In my opinion, MMA is a very unpredictable sport and at any given time, anyone in the top 10 can lose to each other. It has happened numerous times in the past. The fans can truly decide who is No. 1 for them. Since there are so many different opinions out there, that is what makes the competition for the No. 1 spot out there so exciting. A fighter should always try to fight the best and believe in himself in his ability and his victory.

MMAJUNKIE.COM: Your management always seems to come up with interesting sponsors, whether it’s a condom distributor or a electronics manufacturer that creates a line of “Pitbull” TVs. Who’s sponsoring you for UFC 82?

Overall, I would like to thank my family, friends and my fans for their continued support. I enjoy reading the messages I receive from arlovski.tv and myspace.com/arlovski. My sponsors have also been a big help, and I would like to thank cafepress.com/arlovski, soyo.com/arlovski, Prestige Leasing, Dreamsoft.us, Geneva Seal and Trendkilla.com.

I don't get it. Dana said he would be releasing Andrei, and now he says no. I really hope he stays in the UFC. Vera vs Arlovski would be a great fight.

Cuts O Meat · 02-29-2008, 12:07 PM

Was like an interview with a politician. I love Arlovski, but i'd rather bang my head against a wall than read that again.

T-Bone · 02-29-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuts O Meat

Was like an interview with a politician. I love Arlovski, but i'd rather bang my head against a wall than read that again.

Interviewers dig for dirt and he's trying to remain respectful. Plus he doesn't wanna get sued.

StrikeHARD · 02-29-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuts O Meat

Was like an interview with a politician. I love Arlovski, but i'd rather bang my head against a wall than read that again.

My thoughts exactly lol, didn't exactly make for rivetting reading hehe. Just glad there's a possibility that he'll be re-signing with the UFC. There's lots of matchup's I'd like to see him in.

Hemdoz · 02-29-2008, 12:41 PM

It would be great if he stayed in the UFC, like to see him go against Gabriel.

dsver1 · 02-29-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone

Interviewers dig for dirt and he's trying to remain respectful. Plus he doesn't wanna get sued.

yeah, you could probably add <lawyer whispers in ear> before each answer.