Andrei Arlovski hit the peak of his career when the UFC was finally starting to get noticed by a large majority of the male demographic. There was a buzz around this guy who was nicknamed “The Pitbull” , wore a mouthpiece with fangs, and was knocking out the heavyweight competition left and right.

After suffering back-to-back losses to Ricco Rodriguez and Pedro Rizzo in 2001 and 2002, Arlovski compiled a 6 fight win streak against guys like Ian Freeman, Vladimir Matyushenko, Wesley Correira, and Paul Buentello. Winning all of these fights by knockout or submission, Arlovksi quickly became a fan favorite. He looked unstoppable. He was the UFC heavyweight champion and nobody could beat him.

That is, until, Tim Sylvia stopped him in the first round at UFC 59.
After dropping Sylvia with a big right hand, Sylvia quickly regained his composure and connected with an uppercut that immediately dropped Arlovski. Sylvia won the fight and became the new heavyweight champion.

Sylvia and Arlovski would fight again in a rubber match; both fighters took timid approaches, and Sylvia won a lackluster unanimous decision in one of the most hyped up, yet unmemorable, main events in UFC history.

Since suffering back-to-back losses to Sylvia, Arlovski has compiled back-to-back wins against Marcio Cruz and Febricio Werdum. Even though he stopped Cruz, Arlovski is still taking a timid approach in the octagon. The ferocity he used to bring into his fights is all but gone. His fight with Werdum was a complete bore fest. Since being dropped by Sylvia, Arlovski has a huge problem; he is afraid to get hit. You can’t approach a fight with merciless intent if you are afraid of eating a punch in the exchange.

Now it’s do or die time for Andrei Arlovski. He has been on the bench for almost a year. Since he has not been able to come to terms with the UFC for a new contract, Arlovski has signed a one-fight extension with the UFC. This fight will take place on the under card of UFC 82 this Saturday.

The UFC won’t broadcast the fight because they won’t promote a fighter who isn’t under contract with them, which is business as usual for the UFC.

Dana White promised Arlovski’s opponent, Jake O’Brien, that the fight would be televised if O’Brien defeated Arlovski.

“Yeah I wasn’t happy about that [fighting Arlovski at this young stage of his career], it kind of
sucks, but they told me If I win they’ll show it for sure”

Obviously the UFC wants to bury Arlovski in case he goes to any of the upstart organizations, which are popping up left and right these days. Arlovski could go to EliteXC, Strikeforce, IFl, M1 Global, World Victory Road, or Dream.

If “The Pitbull” wants to make any money in this sport, and preserve any of his fan following, he has to win this match and he has to win it decisively. The UFC isn’t knocking down the door to offer him a new contract and if he loses this match he will have 3 losses in his last 6 fights. Most of those fights were lackluster snooze fests. This type of record doesn’t garner the asking price Arlovski will want to fight for a high profile MMA organization.

Let’s hope, for Arlovski and for the sake of the fans, “The Pitbull” returns to the form that saw him become a heavyweight fan favorite.