Andrei Arlovski was a special guest of Inside MMA on HDNet and let some news out that we could have put together without being told.
He explained that he was told by Dana White that if he beat Fabricio Werdum he would be next in line for a chance to regain the title he lost to Tim Sylvia. Well he beat Werdum in a very dull fight, basically became a non issue and fell off the earth.
While we couldn't have come to the conclusion that Arlovski would get a title shot, we did know that the heavyweight division was weak, and with the departure of Randy Couture, had become much weaker. No one is surprised that Dana White lied to him as I completely believe what Arlovski is saying. Sure, the fight was boring as hell, but he was told to win so he fought cautiously. I also think that's a terrible way to fight (not to lose) and he certainly hasn't been the same fighter that he was since he lost to Sylvia the first time.
So now Arlovski faces Jake O'Brien, the guy who put a monkey wrench in Heath Herring's debut in the UFC by completely out wrestling the former Pride standout. Herring, instead of trying to defend the takedowns and preventing O'Brien from passing his guard, just whined after the fight about how he wasn't here for a wrestling match and wanted to fight. News flash Herring, IT'S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS. Anything goes dude. If you're that good of a fighter, stuff his takedowns and throttle him with elbows. Either way, Herring has shown nothing so far except that he is willing to step into the cage with anyone.
O'Brien is undefeated and hasn't fought since January 2007 against Herring and if he can get a bit more well rounded in skills other than wrestling, could be a force over the next couple years. Arlovski basically has to show some form of his old 'Pitbull' self or you can rest assured this will be his last fight in the UFC. Win or lose. If he wins a boring fight, he's gone. If he dominates, Dana White needs him. If he loses, well that's a no brainer, he'll have to change his moniker from 'The Pitbull' to the 'Terrier' or some other cute dog.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Arlovski: Dana White Lied to Me
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4 comments:
NEWS FLASH....."Greatest shocker of all time...Dana White lied to a UFC fighter!"........Film at 11
You got that right. I have a feeling Dana's gonna have a revelation and never lie again. Damn it looks so absurd even in print.
Even if Dana White did lie(which i am quite sure he did)i believe that Arlovski's career is somewhat over...come on, his last fights he jumped around the cage looking like he was avoiding getting hit at all costs. Alot of these fighters that clearly dont have the ability to win anymore, should just step aside & make room for the new giys who really want to fight & win. p.s Butch...i think terrier sounds perfect for him!
mma chick, you are correct in your summation. Arlovski just hasn't been the same since he got his bell rung by Sylvia in their second fight. It's gotta be a mental block for him but given the sad state of the division and the fact that he's only 28 years old, he should be given a couple more fights to at least see if there's any gas left in the tank. I can guarantee you Dana White wouldn't treat Cro Cop or Wanderlei Silva like that.
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