| Desription ......... Fighting out of Chicago, IL, this tough Belarusian immigrant began studying martial arts to defend himself from schoolyard bullies. Known as “The Pitbull,” Arlovski is a Belarusian police academy graduate, and worked as a police officer, studying Sambo as part of his training. After earning silver medals at the Sambo World cup and World Sambo Championship, Arlovski became First Master Of Sport, then International Master Of Sport. From that point on, there was no stopping Arlovski, who soon earned the European Mixed Fighting championship. Arlovski is the 11th UFC Heavyweight Champion and boasts an impressive record due to his multi-faceted skills, an ability to deliver knockout punches and the occasional submission.
At the age of 20, Arlovski picked up his first MMA fight in the M-1 MFC World Championship in 1999, losing to Viacheslav Datsik who delivered a KO. Exactly one year later, Arlovski returned to St. Petersburg to defeat Michael Tielrooy, and on November 11, 2000, made his UFC debut at UFC 28, besting Aaron Brink with an armbar submission. After a couple of hard losses against Ricco Rodriguez and Pedro Rizzo, Arlovski regained his credibility with a series of UFC victories over fighters including Ian Freeman, Vladmir Matyushenko, Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, Tim Sylvia, and others. At UFC 51 on February 5, 2005, Arlovski gained the Interim UFC Heavyweight title, defending it twice before losing it to Sylvia at UFC 59: Reality Check, and failing to recoup it once more against Sylvia at UFC 61.
UFC 82, featuring Arlovski’s defeat of Frank O’Brien (O’Brien’s first MMA loss), was Arlovski’s last fight with UFC, and he has since signed a three-fight contract with Affliction. Arlovski currently trains with boxing coach Mike Garcia, and in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Dino Costeas at POW Martial Arts. Arlovski has trained with a number of other boxing and martial arts luminaries, including Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, and Manny Pacquiao, as well as with Frank Roach. Arlovski is set to make his professional boxing debut on September 13, 2008. He is associated with Team Pitbull. |