Former UFC Heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is no stranger to fighting teammates. In fact, “Pit Bull” recently starched Top 10-ranked contender — and former Jackson-Wink MMA teammate — Travis Browne in May 2015.
But, now the Belarusian fighter is in the midst of preparing for a main event match with a fellow contender currently occupying space in the same facility down in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Arlovski will tangle with No. 3-ranked Heavyweight, Alistair Overeem, at UFC Fight Night 87, which takes place inside Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on May 8, 2016.
The 37-year-old will look to get back on the winning track at the expense of “The Reem” and his three-fight win streak.
From his conversation with MMA Latest (via MMA Fighting):
“I’m training on my schedule. If I have to be there in the morning, I will be there in the morning. If I have to be there at night, I will be there at night. If I have to be there all f***ing day, I will be there all f***ing day. I’m number one priority for the team and that’s it. Overeem is in my f***ing way and I will do everything possible to smash him and that’s it. Period.”
Strong words.
Arlovski, who was recently knocked out stunningly courtesy of Stipe Miocic at UFC 195 back in January, will have all the attention of Greg Jackson and Co. up until the lights dim just before their headlining tussle. Indeed, sides have already been taken — if you want to call it like that — in the battle between these hard-hitting brutes, with the mixed martial arts (MMA) mastermind Jackson stating that he “promised” Arlovski he would be in his corner come fight night.
Hey, it’s not like Arlovski and Overeem were ever friends in the first place.
During a recent Q&A stop in London, England, “Demolition Man” reiterated that Jackson would work out times of day to train with coaches at the Albuquerque fighter factory. With both men likely one or two convincing wins away from a shot at gold, who do you think gets it done in Rotterdam?
To see who else is fighting at UFC Fight Night 87 click here.