Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce and is expected to face former EliteXC champ Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva on May 15th. Sherdog.com first reported on the signing and planned matchup today.
Arlovski made his Strikeforce debut on very short notice last June, but was upset by top contender Brett “The Grim” Rogers in just 22 seconds. He has lost two straight fights and will be looking to climb back to the top half of the heavyweight ranks in his Strikeforce return.
Arlovski (15-7-0) captured the UFC Heavyweight Championship with a first-round submission of Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia at UFC 51 in early 2005, but lost the title 14 months later in a rematch. He was defeated a second time by the towering Sylvia in the pair’s rubber match at UFC 61 and departed the promotion after picking up three more victories.
The heavy-handed Belarusian made his Affliction debut at Affliction: “Banned” on July 19, 2008 and knocked out former IFL star “Big” Ben Rothwell in the third round, then followed that up with a second-round dispatching of final IFL Heavyweight Champion Roy “Big Country” Nelson in his lone appearance for EliteXC. Prior to the loss to Rogers, Arlovski was knocked out by WAMMA Unified Heavyweight Champion “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko.
All but one of Arlovski’s losses have come by knockout and Silva (13-2-0) has finished 12 of his opponents thus far. Nine of the Brazilian’s wins have come via a form of KO. While not as technically sound as Arlovski, who recently competed in boxing, Silva holds a significant size and strength advantage and would pose a serious threat should the fight take place.
Arlovski and Silva will reportedly face each other on May 15th at an undisclosed Strikeforce event in St. Louis, Missouri. It will air live on Showtime and Fedor Emelianenko may also compete on the card.
(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)
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